{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://levin.house.gov/press-release/levin-floor-statement-violence-against-rohingya", "Levin Floor Statement on Violence Against Rohingya", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Sander Levin", "L000263", "levin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 5, 2017\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Contact: Nick Gwyn, (202) 225-4961\nLevin Floor Statement on Violence Against Rohingya\n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding a resolution condemning ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya in Burma ( H.Con.Res. 90):\n\u00a0\n(Remarks as Delivered)\n\u00a0\n\u201cI rise today in support of this resolution.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nAt the same time, I want to raise concerns about the overall thrust of the resolution. This resolution makes it clear that the military in Burma is the main perpetrator of the crimes committed against the Rohingya people. In November, Secretary Tillerson called the violence against the Rohingya \u201cethnic cleansing,\u201d holding the military responsible.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nSome have urged that Aung San Suu Kyi does not control the military, and there is a danger that the military would use the present crisis as a way to dismantle the civilian government.\nIt is also been said that the civilian government is working within a deep traditional bias against the Rohingyas, and some see them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.\n\u00a0\nOthers point out that pressure on the civilian government could lead to Burma moving closer to the Chinese. \u00a0Still others point out that talks about the Rohingyas returning to Burma must be afforded time to work out, and the process has only begun.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nBut none of these factors must undermine the realities of the persecution of the Rohingyas.\u00a0 As an UN officials has stated, it is \u201ca textbook example of ethnic cleansing.\u201d\n\u00a0\nThe Pope was under great pressure to not mention the Rohingyas by name.\u00a0 He expressed his deep concerns while visiting the country. And later in Bangladesh, the Pope being specific, said that \u201cNone of us can fail to be aware of the gravity of the situation,\u201d and called for \u201cdecisive measures to address this grave crisis.\u201d\n\u00a0\nA few years ago, I was part of the CODEL organized by Leader Pelosi to Burma.\u00a0 One of the highlights of the trip was meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, who had been freed after almost two decades of house arrest.\u00a0 We discussed her unique role in moving Myanmar toward a nation of freedom, human rights and peace.\nThe resolution earlier introduced by Senators McCain and Durbin expressed the overriding need for the world to step up to the plight of the Rohingyas.\u00a0 I introduced the same resolution in the House.\u00a0 These resolutions reflect what the many esteemed historical figures have said.\u00a0\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, executed by the Nazis, said \u201cSilence in the face of evil, is itself evil.\u201d\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Desmond Tutu said \u201cIf you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Elie Wiesel said \u201cWe must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.\u201d\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0And Martin Luther King said that the \u201c\u2026[an individual] who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://levin.house.gov/press-release/levin-floor-statement-violence-against-rohingya"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3580850791186094, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}