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PATERSON — U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08), released the following statement condemning this morning's defiling of the comfort women statue in Palisades Park:
"I am appalled to learn of this morning's defiling of the Comfort Women memorial in Palisades Park. This disrespectful act contradicts everything this memorial stands for - human rights and peace. Although the violence against the comfort women occurred many years ago, their wounds have yet to heal. I strongly condemn any hateful acts against the Korean American community and I hope the perpetrators are expeditiously brought to justice.
"By being mindful of the comfort women’s suffering, we strengthen our commitment to the preservation of human rights around the world. Although some do not believe we should be commemorating these women today, know that I will continue my work with my colleagues in Congress on behalf of the Korean-American community to set the historical record straight, and preserve human rights."
Rep. Pascrell proudly cosponsored the comfort women resolution, H. Res. 121, which called for the Japanese government to acknowledge and apologize for their Imperial military’s coercion of young women into sexual slavery during the 1930s and 1940s. This resolution was passed by voice vote on July 30, 2007.
In July, Rep. Pascrell was also one of only a few members of Congress that spoke at a reception in Washington hosted by Rep. Honda and Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE) commemorating the fifth anniversary of the comfort women resolution.
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