Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolutions Encouraging U.S. to Keep the Pressure on Joseph Kony & the LRA Introduced in Senate & House

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There is a bipartisan, bicameral effort underway in Congress to encourage the United States and the international community to keep the pressure on wanted war criminal Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) who have been terrorizing Central Africa for over two decades. U.S. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Joseph Pitts (R-PA), who are co-chairmen of the Tom Lantos…

McGovern: Trade Deals Should Never Trump Human Rights

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Today, Congressmen Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Joe Pitts (R-PA) – Co-Chairmen of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission – released the following joint bipartisan statement regarding the State Department’s upgrading of Malaysia to a Tier 2 Watch country in its latest Trafficking in Persons report. The move comes as the Obama administration pushes to complete the…

Congressman McGovern Statement on Death of Tibetan Activist Tenzin Delek Rinpoche

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Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), a senior House Democrat and Co-Chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, released the following statement on the death of Tibetan activist Tenzin Delek Rinpoche: “Last week I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of the well-known Tibetan monk, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. Tenzin Delek was serving a life sentence under very harsh…

Congressman McGovern Calls Iran Deal Major Step Forward for American Diplomacy

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Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), a senior House Democrat and co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, released the following statement on the Obama Administration's announcement that it has reached an agreement with Iran. “Today’s historic nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Iran is a major step forward for American diplomacy,” Congressman McGovern…

Congressman McGovern Opening Statement at Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Hearing on Tibet Human Rights and U.S.-China Relations

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Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), Co-Chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled “Tibet & China: Searching for a New Way Forward.” Watch livestream here. Excerpts from Congressman McGovern’s opening statement: “All of us are present today because we care about the…

Congressman McGovern: Death of Tibetan Human Rights Activist Tenzin Delek Rinpoche a Tragedy

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Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), a senior House Democrat and co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, released the following statement on the death of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a Tibetan human rights activist who had been imprisoned by the Chinese government for the last thirteen years. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic and unnecessary death of the well-known…

In Turkey, Congressman McGovern Meets with Groups Working to Address Syrian Humanitarian Crisis

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ANKARA, TURKEY – Today, U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) completed a two-day visit to Turkey as part of a Congressional Delegation to the Middle East this week led by U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (VA). Yesterday, the delegation traveled to the Syrian border town of Gaziantep to meet with interim Syrian government officials and local council representatives, Syrian opposition forces,…

Congressman McGovern: Opening U.S. Embassy in Cuba a Victory for American Diplomacy

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Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), a senior House Democrat and leading advocate of modernizing U.S. relations with Cuba, praised the announcement by President Obama that the Administration has reached a deal with Cuba to re-establish diplomatic relations and re-open embassies. The effective date for re-establishment is July 20 when the Cuban government will re-open its embassy in…

PHOTO: On Iraq Trip, Congressman McGovern Meets Constituents Serving in U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

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On a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East this week, Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) met with two constituents. During the delegation’s time in Iraq, Congressman McGovern met with military and diplomatic leaders, including John Sullivan of Worcester and Scott Harney of Everett, both serving in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. View photo online here. “On my…

McGovern, Engel, Pitts, Salmon Resolution Calls for Settlement for Tibetan People

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Today, Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Joseph Pitts (PA), co-chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, joined Representative Eliot L. Engel (NY), the top Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Representative Matt Salmon (AZ), Chairman of the Asia Pacific Subcommittee, to introduce H. Res. 337, a measure calling for meaningful dialogue and a negotiated…