U.S. Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) – Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe – has introduced the Central Asia Democracy and Human Rights Promotion Act (HR 5382), legislation aimed at advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms in the region. Roughly 15 years after independence, the five countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) continue to struggle through the transition from Soviet authoritarian rule to democratic societies that fully respect human rights. Read more

U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees global human rights, expressed today expressed profound disappointment about the UN Human Rights Council Elections. According to the resolution establishing the Council, this UN body is “responsible for promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.” Read more

First, let me thank the organizers of this conference for inviting me to speak. I applaud the co-sponsors for putting together this timely and sober gathering to mark the one-year anniversary of the Andijon events. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, today praised President Bush for calling for more UN Peacekeepers for the embattled Darfur region of Sudan and proposing an increase in US food aid. On Friday, Smith expressed hope that a peace deal signed by the largest Darfur rebel group and the government of Sudan could be “the first step toward peace and stability” in the region. Read more

Noting the record number of Lyme disease cases reported in New Jersey, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today called for passage of the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education and Research Act – HR 3427. The bill, authored by Smith, would authorize an increase in the research and education of Lyme disease of $20 million per year over five years. Read more

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith will speak and be honored at the dedication of a monument at Arlington National Ceremony to honor those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge – the largest land battle in which the US Army has ever participated. Smith is being recognized for authoring legislation that eventually led to the placement of the new monument. One of the most decisive battles in the war in Europe, the Battle of the Bulge began on December 16, 1944, when the German Army attempted to spli... Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, today expressed hope that a peace deal signed by the largest Darfur rebel group and the Government of Sudan could end the suffering in the region. Smith noted that the accord, which was brokered by the African Union (AU) and the international community, also could speed the augmentation of the AU force in Darfur. Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Dean of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation, praised House passage of HR 4954 – the Security and Accountability for Every Port (SAFE) Act. The bipartisan bill will strengthen security at America’s ports, helping to prevent terrorists from doing harm to our nation. Read more

While the winner of the World Cup remains unknown, the clear losers will be the thousands of women and children trafficked and exploited in Germany’s legal sex industry to accommodate the huge influx of demand experts anticipate will be generated by male fans attending the games. Read more

The winning entries of the Fourth Congressional District Art Competition for amateur artists (hosted by Rep. Chris Smith) will be unveiled tomorrow at 3:00 PM in the M. Christina Geis Art Gallery at Georgian Court University (GCU). Read more