Bipartisan Resolution Supporting the Peace Process in Colombia Introduced in House
Washington, DC – Today Rep. Ruben Gallego and 5 House cosponsors introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of the peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
The resolution recognizes the importance of the ongoing negotiations and commends Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for his leadership in the process. It also calls on the negotiating parties to make meaningful reparations to the victims of the conflict and urges President Barack Obama to continue to support the negotiations and develop plans to support the Colombian people in building a just and lasting peace.
Five original cosponsors joined Rep. Gallego in introducing the resolution, including Reps. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) and Henry C. "Hank" Johnson Jr. (D-GA), who both serve with Rep. Gallego on the House Armed Services Committee, and Reps. John Lewis (D-GA), Sam Farr (D-CA), and Jim McGovern (D-MA).
Earlier this year, Reps. Gallego and Byrne traveled to Colombia to learn more about the peace process and met with President Santos.
The full text of the resolution can be found here.
Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) said, "As the first Colombian American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, I am committed to strengthening the ties that bind our two nations. We have a moral obligation and a vested interest in helping the Colombian people to secure a just and lasting peace. It's heartening to see significant strides that both parties have made at the negotiating table. I remain committed to ensuring that the Colombian government can continue to count on strong support from Congress at this critical juncture in their nation's history." | Contact: Christina Carr (202) 236-2268
Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) said, "Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to travel to Colombia to learn more about the peace process, and I was very impressed by the progress President Santos has made, Colombia has long been a strong ally of our country, and I believe the United States should do everything we can to support the peace process." | Contact: Seth Morrow (202) 225-4931
Rep. Henry C. "Hank" Johnson Jr. (D-GA) said, "As the government of Colombia and FARC are engaged in peace negotiations to end Colombia's five decades of internal conflict that affects millions of Colombians – especially Afro-Colombians and Indigenous people – the United States should demonstrate unwavering support to this peace process. It is time for my Colombian brothers and sisters to enter a new era of sustainable peace. I remain committed to continue to work in Congress towards supporting a politically negotiated end of the conflict in Colombia, and if an agreement is reached, towards supporting its implementation." | Contact: Andy Phelan (404) 593-9126
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) said, "Colombia is engaged in a historic, difficult and complex negotiation to end the longest armed conflict in the hemisphere. It deserves the support of the U.S. government, the U.S. Congress and the American people. Billions of U.S. tax dollars having been invested in Colombia's security, institutions and the protection of human rights. It is now time for us to demonstrate that same support for the peace negotiations and, if successful and an agreement reached, their implementation." | Contact: Abraham White (202) 308-8430
Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) said, "For years, every conversation about Colombia in Congress was focused on war; now we are finally talking about peace. Getting this far has required a great deal of political will on the part of both the Colombian government and the FARC. However, the peace process is still at a delicate stage. While the people of Colombia will ultimately determine their own future, the United States must show its support for the peace process to help keep it moving forward." | Contact: Adam Russell (202) 225-2861
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