November 14, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S14419 The preamble was agreed to. and , Ursuline Sister Dorothy worth dying for . . . something that ener- The resolution, with its preamble, Kazel, and Cleveland Team lay mis- gizes you, enthuses you, enables you to keep reads as follows: sionary were brutally moving ahead. I can’t tell you what it might be—that’s for you to find, to choose, to love. S. RES. 380 violated and murdered by members of I can just encourage you to start looking, Whereas travel promotes awareness and the Salvadoran National Guard. We do and support you in the search. Maybe this knowledge of peoples, places, and cultures; not wish to revisit the events of those sounds weird and off-the-wall, and maybe, no Whereas hostelling is educational travel, difficult times in Central America with one else will talk to you like this, but then, local and global, using hostels and other pro- this resolution. We wish to remember too, I’m seeing and living things that others grams to facilitate interaction among trav- and honor the love and dedication around you aren’t. . . . I want to say to you: elers and with local communities; these women of faith showed to those don’t waste the gifts and opportunities you Whereas hostels are simple, safe, shared have to make yourself and other people accommodations that promote community they came to serve. Two years ago, on the December 2 an- happy. . . . I hope this doesn’t sound like and cooperation among users and introduce some kind of a sermon because I don’t mean young people of limited means to travel; niversary of the brutal deaths of these four American women, several 25th an- it that way. Rather, it’s something you learn Whereas Hostelling International USA (HI- here, and I want to share it with you. In fact, USA) is a nonprofit educational organization niversary events were held in the it’s my birthday present to you. If it doesn’t established in 1934 as American Youth Hos- including one at Milwau- make sense right at this moment, keep this tels to promote hostelling in the United kee’s Saint Therese Church in my and read it sometime from now. Maybe it States; home State of Wisconsin. I was pleased will be clearer . . . Whereas, since its founding, HI-USA has that the House passed a resolution hon- A very happy birthday to you and much, provided in its hostels more than 22,000,000 oring the lives of the four missionaries much love, overnight stays to visitors from the United ITA. States and more than 150 countries world- in the year of the 25th anniversary. Un- wide; fortunately, one or more members of From that one letter alone, I am sure Whereas today HI-USA has a network of 70 this body anonymously blocked the that others will understand the kind of hostels in areas of cultural, historic, and rec- Senate from passing a similar resolu- people these women were, and the im- reational interest, often in partnership with tion to commemorate the 25th anniver- pact they continue to have on us all. public, private, and other nonprofit organiza- sary of the of these nuns. Along I also want to thank, in particular, tions, that annually hosts nearly 1,000,000 with my cosponsors, I am pleased that my friend from Massachusetts Con- overnights stays by both domestic and for- the Senate is now appropriately hon- gressman JIM MCGOVERN and his staff eign travelers; oring these women with the passage of who have led the efforts in Congress to Whereas HI-USA today offers programs appropriately remember these four through its hostels and local chapters that this resolution. promote the appreciation of local culture Mr. President, remembering these courageous American women who dedi- and environment, while facilitating the dis- women is a very personal and moving cated their lives to their faith and to covery of both world and self, to more than thing for those who actually knew the service of others. 65,000 participants annually; them, but it is also truly powerful for Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- Whereas HI-USA has made a unique and those who have only learned of them sent that the resolution be agreed to, notable contribution to intercultural under- after their deaths. I had the oppor- the preamble be agreed to, the motions standing in the United States and worldwide, tunity several years ago to meet many to reconsider be laid upon the table en especially among youth: Now, therefore, be bloc, and that any statements relating it of their family members and have be- Resolved, That the Senate— come well aware of one of the church- thereto be printed in the RECORD. (1) congratulates Hostelling International women, Sister Ita Ford, through my The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without USA on its 75 years of service; and chief of staff and her aunt, Jean objection, it is so ordered. (2) commends Hostelling International Reardon Baumann, who was a dear The resolution (S. Res. 381) was USA for its contributions to intercultural friend of Ita’s from their childhood to- agreed to. exchange and its leadership in the field of gether in , New York. The preamble was agreed to. youth travel. I would like to share with my col- The resolution, with its preamble, f leagues a letter Sister Ita Ford wrote reads as follows: COMMEMORATING THE LIVES OF to her niece in August of 1980: S. RES. 381 THE SISTERS Dear Jennifer, the odds that this note will Whereas on December 2, 1980, four church- women from the United States, Maryknoll Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- arrive for your birthday are poor, but know I’m with you in spirit as you celebrate 16 big Sisters and Ita Ford, Ursuline sent that the Senate proceed to the im- ones. I hope it’s a special day for you. I want Sister , and Cleveland Lay mediate consideration of S. Res. 381 to say something to you and I wish I were Mission Team Member Jean Donovan, were submitted earlier today. there to talk to you because sometimes let- violated and executed by members of the Na- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ters don’t get across all the meaning and tional Guard of ; clerk will report the resolution by feeling. But, I’ll give it a try anyway. Whereas in 1980, Maryknoll Sisters Maura title. First of all, I love you and care about you Clarke and Ita Ford were working in the par- The legislative clerk read as follows: and how you are. I’m sure you know that. ish of the Church of San Juan Bautista in Chalatenango, El Salvador, providing food, A resolution (S. Res. 381) remembering and That holds if you’re an angel or a goof-off, a commemorating the lives and work of genius or a jerk. A lot of that is up to you, transportation, and other assistance to refu- Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita and what you decide to do with your life. gees, and Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and Ford, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and What I want to say . . . some of it isn’t too Cleveland Lay Mission Team Member Jean Cleveland Lay Mission Team Member Jean jolly birthday talk, but it’s real. . . . Yester- Donovan were working in the parish of the Donovan, who were executed by members of day I stood looking down at a 16-year-old Church of the Immaculate Conception in La the Armed Forces of El Salvador on Decem- who had been killed a few hours earlier. I Libertad, El Salvador, providing assistance ber 2, 1980. know a lot of kids even younger who are and support to refugees and other victims of dead. This is a terrible time in El Salvador violence; There being no objection, the Senate for youth. A lot of idealism and commitment Whereas these four churchwomen from the proceeded to consider the resolution. is getting snuffed out here now. The reasons United States dedicated their lives to work- Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- why so many people are being killed are ing with the poor of El Salvador, especially sent to be added as a cosponsor of this quite complicated, yet there are some clear, women and children left homeless, displaced, measure. simple strands. One is that many people have and destitute by the civil war in El Salvador; The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without found a meaning to life, to sacrifice, to Whereas these four churchwomen from the objection, it is so ordered. struggle, and even to death. And whether United States were among the more than Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I am their life span is 16 years, 60 or 90, for them, 70,000 civilians who were murdered during grateful to my colleagues for joining their life has had a purpose. In many ways, the course of the civil war in El Salvador; me in passing a resolution which re- they are fortunate people. Whereas on May 23 and May 24, 1984, five Brooklyn is not passing through the drama members of the National Guard of El Sal- members the lives of four American of El Salvador, but some things hold true vador, Subsergeant Luis Antonio Colindres women who continue to be a source of wherever one is, and at whatever age. What Aleman, Daniel Canales Ramirez, Carlos great inspiration. I’m saying is, I hope you come to find that Joaquin Contreras Palacios, Francisco Or- Mr. President, on December 2, 1980, which gives life a deep meaning for you . . . lando Contreras Recinos, and Jose Roberto two Maryknoll Sisters, Maura Clarke something worth living for, maybe even Moreno Canjura, were found guilty by the El

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:04 Nov 15, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G14NO6.077 S14NOPT1 bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with SENATE S14420 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 14, 2007 Salvador courts of the executions of these and martyrdom of these four churchwomen diabetes is the sixth leading cause of four churchwomen from the United States from the United States; death by disease. Globally, diabetes is and were sentenced to 30 years in prison, Whereas the historic January 1992 Peace fourth. marking the first time in El Salvador his- Accords ended 12 years of civil war in El Sal- tory in which a member of the Armed Forces vador and have allowed the Government and Diabetes currently affects 246 million of El Salvador was convicted of murder by an the people of El Salvador to achieve signifi- people worldwide and is projected to af- El Salvador judge; cant progress in creating and strengthening fect 380 million by 2025. Last year, the Whereas the United Nations Commission democratic, political, economic, and social United Nations passed landmark Reso- on the Truth for El Salvador was established institutions in El Salvador; and lution 61/225 recognizing diabetes as a under the terms of the historic January 1992 Whereas December 2, 2007, marks the 27th chronic, debilitating, and costly dis- Peace Accords that ended 12 years of civil anniversary of the deaths of these four spir- ease. war in El Salvador and was charged to inves- itual, courageous, and generous church- tigate and report to the El Salvador people women from the United States: Now, there- Each year, over 3.7 million people die on human rights crimes committed by all fore, be it due to diabetes. An even greater num- sides during the course of the civil war; Resolved, That the Senate— ber die from cardiovascular disease ex- Whereas in March 1993, the United Nations (1) remembers and commemorates the lives acerbated by diabetes-related lipid dis- Commission on the Truth for El Salvador and work of Sisters Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, orders. Every 10 seconds, two people de- found that the execution of these four and Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean velop diabetes and one person dies from churchwomen from the United States was Donovan; diabetes-related causes. (2) extends sympathy and support for the planned, that Subsergeant Luis Antonio The prevalence of diabetes is increas- Colindres Aleman carried out orders from a families, friends, and religious communities superior to execute them, that then Colonel of these four churchwomen from the United ing in Michigan—from 5.3 percent to 7.9 Carlos Eugenio Vides Casanova, then Direc- States; percent over the past 10 years. There tor-General of the National Guard and his (3) continues to find inspiration in the are 1.3 million Michiganians who have cousin, Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Edgardo lives and work of these four churchwomen diabetes or are prediabetic. Michigan Casanova Vejar, then Commander of the from the United States; has the seventh highest rate of diabe- Zacatecoluca military detachment where the (4) calls upon the people of the United tes in the Nation, and diabetes costs were committed, and other military States and religious congregations to par- ticipate in local, national, and international our State’s economy $6 billion a year personnel knew that members of the Na- in health costs and lost productivity. tional Guard had committed the murders events commemorating the 27th anniversary pursuant to orders of a superior, and that the of the martyrdom of these four church- Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of subsequent coverup of the facts adversely af- women from the United States; death in Michigan and the fourth lead- fected the judicial investigation into the (5) recognizes that while progress has been ing cause of death among African- murders of the churchwomen; made in El Salvador during the post-civil American females in Michigan. Whereas the United Nations Commission war period, the work begun by these four This year, the World Diabetes Day on the Truth for El Salvador determined churchwomen from the United States re- mains unfinished and social and economic campaign will focus on the message that General Jose Guillermo Garcia, then that no child should die of diabetes.’’ I Minister of Defense, made no serious effort hardships persist among many sectors of El to conduct a thorough investigation of re- Salvador society; and take this goal very seriously. As a sponsibility for the murders of these four (6) calls upon the President, the Secretary member of the Agriculture Committee, churchwomen from the United States; of State, the Administrator of the United I am committed to ensuring our chil- Whereas the families of these four church- States Agency for International Develop- dren have healthy options in their women from the United States continue ment, and the heads of other United States school meals. And I am working with Government agencies to continue to support their efforts to determine the full truth sur- Senator DOMENICI on reauthorizing the and collaborate with the Government of El rounding the murders of their loved ones, ap- Special Diabetes Program. preciate the cooperation of United States Salvador and with private sector, nongovern- Government agencies in disclosing and pro- mental, regional, international, and reli- We can no longer ignore the growing viding documents relevant to the murders of gious organizations in their efforts to reduce incidence of diabetes. Instead, let us the churchwomen, and pursue requests to re- poverty and hunger and to promote edu- draw worldwide attention to preven- lease to the family members the few remain- cational opportunity, health care, and social tion, access, and treatment. equity for the people of El Salvador. ing undisclosed documents and reports per- Finally, I am pleased to have letters taining to the case; f of support from diabetes advocacy or- Whereas the families of these four church- women from the United States appreciate WORLD DIABETES DAY ganizations. I ask unanimous consent that they be printed in the RECORD. the ability of those harmed by violence to Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous con- bring suit against El Salvador military offi- sent that the Senate proceed to the im- There being no objection, the mate- cers in United States courts under the Tor- mediate consideration of S. Res. 382 rial was ordered to be printed in the ture Victim Protection Act of 1991 (28 U.S.C. RECORD, as follows: 1350 note); submitted earlier today. INTERNATIONAL DIABETES FEDERATION, Whereas the lives of these four church- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Brussels, Belgium, November 11, 2007. women from the United States have, for the clerk will report the resolution by Hon. DEBBIE STABENOW, past 27 years, served as inspiration for and title. Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. continue to inspire Salvadorans, Americans, The legislative clerk read as follows: Hon. PETE DOMENICI, and people throughout the world to answer A resolution (S. Res. 382) supporting the Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. the call to service and to pursue lives dedi- goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day. cated to addressing the needs and aspirations DEAR U.S. SENATOR STABENOW AND U.S. of the poor, the vulnerable, and the dis- There being no objection, the Senate SENATOR DOMENICI: The International Diabe- advantaged, especially among women and proceeded to consider the resolution. tes Federation (IDF), an over 50–year old children; Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, worldwide alliance of over 200 diabetes asso- Whereas the lives of these four church- today I was pleased to introduce a Sen- ciations in more than 160 countries, is pleased to endorse H. Con. Res. 211, your res- women from the United States have also in- ate resolution recognizing November 14 spired numerous books, plays, films, music, olution supporting the goals and ideals of as World Diabetes Day. I am also World Diabetes Day. religious events, and cultural events; pleased to be joined by my colleagues, Whereas schools, libraries, research cen- Established by the World Health Organiza- ters, spiritual centers, health clinics, wom- Senators PETE DOMENICI and FRANK tion and International Diabetes Federation en’s and children’s programs in the United LAUTENBERG. Established in 1991 by the in 1991, World Diabetes Day has been com- States and in El Salvador have been named World Health Organization and the memorated annually on November 14th. after or dedicated to Sisters Maura Clarke, International Diabetes Federation, this World Diabetes Day has succeeded in ele- Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel, and lay missionary day has been recognized annually as vating and coordinating diabetes advocacy Jean Donovan; World Diabetes Day. globally. Further, it is especially meaningful Whereas the Maryknoll Sisters, Through World Diabetes Day, advo- for the international diabetes advocacy com- munity that on December 20, 2006, the Gen- headquartered in Ossining, New York, the cates worldwide can coordinate diabe- Ursuline Sisters, headquartered in Cleve- eral Assembly of the United Nations passed a land, Ohio, numerous religious task forces in tes awareness activities and create a landmark Resolution recognizing diabetes as the United States, and the Salvadoran and sense of urgency about this devastating a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. international religious communities based in disease. In almost every nation, diabe- Cities and nations all over the world are El Salvador annually commemorate the lives tes is on the rise. In the United States, holding events to celebrate World Diabetes

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