CONGO’S PEOPLE NEED YOUR HELP:
Urge your Representative to pass S. 2125 this week 
 

TAKE ACTION NOW!  Contact your Representative today, excluding those Members who are part of the House International Relations Committee, and urge support for passage of S. 2125, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security and Democracy Promotion Act, scheduled for consideration as early as TODAY in the House of Representatives.  Please contact your Members TODAY.  Click here to send your Member a message today.

BACKGROUND:  The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently completed the second round of its first democratic national elections in over four decades.  The Catholic Church in the DRC with support from CRS provided non-partisan civic education to voters and trained election monitors.  The announcement of second-round election results and subsequent installation of a legitimate, democratically elected government provide the United States with a unique opportunity to advance the building of peace and stability. 

Passage of S. 2125 would help to build a better future for the Congolese people, as well as make a significant U.S. contribution to greater peace and security for the entire region.  The bill would establish a partnership between the United States and the DRC to promote peace, justice, democracy, and development and provides much-needed assistance to the DRC. Specifically, it authorizes a twenty five percent increase in U.S. international assistance, calls for a special envoy to the region, recommends the strengthening of the current United Nations peacekeeping force, and sustains the U.S. commitment to rebuilding the DRC for at least 3 years.  

WHY THIS ISSUE IS IMPORTANT:  In their 2001 statement, A Call to Solidarity with Africa, the Catholic Bishops of the United States wrote: “We stand in solidarity with the Church and the peoples of Africa, to recognize and support their courageous commitment to peace, justice, and reconciliation. We encourage the Catholic community in the United States to contribute its diverse talents and gifts to the continent's causes of justice, peace, and integral development. We call the U.S. government to demonstrate responsible leadership and increase its engagement in working with African nations in order to address their present challenges and future possibilities.”  Click here to read the entire statement.

CRS assisted the Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo to help people who fled their homes due to the war to return home to Bena Dibele. This child is watching the homecoming festivities.  Photo by: David Snyder

In response to this commitment to solidarity with our African brothers and sisters, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and CRS have been supporting S. 2125, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security and Democracy Promotion Act, introduced by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL).  This bill would address some of the most urgent concerns arising from the longstanding conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  It has been one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II, killing an estimated 4 million people and displacing 1.6 million from their homes. 

S. 2125 has already passed the Senate and must now be approved by the House of Representatives.  Thanks to advocacy efforts across the country, House leadership has placed the bill on the suspension calendar for quick approval this week before Congress adjourns for the rest of the year. 

Now we urge the House of Representatives to ensure passage of this bill when they vote.  We are asking advocates not to contact Members of the House International Relations Committee because they have already committed their support and have previously been inundated with messages on this issue.  Click here for a complete list of Members of the House International Relations Committee.     

TAKE ACTION NOW!  Urge all Members, excluding those who are part of the House International Relations Committee (click here for a complete list), to strongly support passage of S. 2125 this week.  Click here to send a message today. 

For more information, contact:
Tina Rodousakis, Legislative Network Specialist, CRS, 1-800-235-2772 x 7462; Trodousa@crs.org

Steve Colecchi, Director, International Justice and Peace, USCCB, (202) 541-3196; Scolecchi@usccb.org