“We are on the brink of the release of a report that talks about issues of torture which America has stood against. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to communicate that any report of past practices which we abhor does not indicate our lack of respect for the men and women of the CIA, nor does it give excuse to any international provocateur or terrorist to do violence to their own people”, says Rep. Jackson Lee.
On December 9, 2014 Rep. Jackson Lee asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute regarding human rights:
“Mr. Speaker, as we come to this season of joy, I am always committed to wishing all of my colleagues of this body, this government, and our people a happy holiday.
We are on the brink of the release of a report that talks about issues of torture which America has stood against. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to communicate that any report of past practices which we abhor does not indicate our lack of respect for the men and women of the CIA, nor does it give excuse to any international provocateur or terrorist to do violence to their own people.
This is a deliberative assessment of how we can go forward, how we can continue to protect this Nation, and as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, it is important to protect our Nation. But we should not yield to those who will use this recklessly and violently to do terror around the world.
Let me thank our marines who are on high alert. Let me also bring to the attention of my colleagues that tomorrow is Human Rights Day, and I hope that we will stand on this floor and promote the values of human rights.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I challenge and charge those who would use this in a violent way: you are wrong, you are wrong, and you are wrong.”
Source: Congressional Record