Recent reports of ongoing human rights abuses in Rwanda, where 800,000 people were killed in 1994—the worst genocide in modern history—were the central focus of a congressional hearing Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the Africa and global human rights subcommittee. The U.S. State Department’s Africa Bureau, its Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Bureau, and other witnesses, including Human Rights Watch, discussed the fact that despite that the Government of Rwanda’s cooper...
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“Reopening these claims gives Sandy victims the due consideration and comprehensive review they have justly deserved from the start,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) in response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) launch of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Sandy Claims Review Process. “We have pressed FEMA to thoroughly test the process and properly train its caseworkers to ensure that policyholders are treated fairly in this new appeal,” said Smith. “The administra...
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Members of an anti-human trafficking organization testified about their recent rescues of child sex slaves in Columbia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Thailand and other countries at a House human rights hearing held today by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees global human rights issues. They were joined by anti-human trafficking advocates from Mexico, including a young survivor of child sex trafficking. Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) was a ...
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Key players in the recent rescues of child sex slaves in Columbia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Thailand and other countries will testify about their bold—if extremely risky—missions to a House human rights panel on Capitol Hill Thursday. Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) will be the focus of a hearing planned by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees global human rights issues, and author of the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a law ...
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Letters explaining the claims review process will start going out May 18 to policyholders who believe they were stiffed by their flood insurance companies after superstorm Sandy.a According to a news release from Congressman Chris Smith's office, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which underwrites nearly all flood insurance coverage in the U.S., will begin sending these letters in batches by ZIP code within two weeks, . The recipients will have 90 days from the date of the notice t...
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U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, made the following comments regarding the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act now scheduled to be brought to the House floor for a vote next week. “I am very grateful that today House Republican Leadership has announced that the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36) will be considered by the House next week,” said Smith. “The timing could not be more fitting. Next week marks the second anniversary ...
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Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) announced today that the Jackson First Aid Squad has received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) award for over $117,000 to purchase emergency response gear, such as helmets, eye protection, protective coats, pants and boots. "This FEMA grant will help protect first aid personnel as they respond to help those in need in Jackson Township and beyond,” said Smith, a long-time member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus who helped create the grant program ...
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U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) released the following statement in response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) congressional briefing on the implementation of the Sandy Claims Review Process: “Sandy victims insured through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will finally be given the due consideration and comprehensive analysis they have been entitled to all along. These hard-fought-for reforms announced today incorporate critical safeguards that we have advocated for in ...
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The winners of the 2015 Annual Congressional Art Competition were announced today by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who organizes the annual show. “The students’ artwork entered this year was splendid,” Smith said. “This year we had 69 total entries representing a variety of styles and mediums. It is good to know this level of artistry is being fostered by art teachers in the Fourth Congressional District. I congratulate all the winners and participants.” The event was held at Georgian Court U...
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