[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E6]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMENDING ANDREW NATSIOS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 15, 2008

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the important work 
of U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Andrew Natsios in light of the 
announcement that he is resigning. Special Envoy Natsios has led 
efforts to achieve comprehensive peace in Sudan, which has suffered 
decades of war and poverty.
  I have visited Sudan five times, most recently in July 2004 when I 
led the first congressional delegation with Senator Sam Brownback to 
Darfur. I witnessed the nightmare with my own eyes. Every day that 
passes, more men are killed, more women are raped, and more children 
die of malnutrition. Special Envoy Natsios has worked tirelessly to end 
this nightmare, traveling frequently to Sudan to bring greater pressure 
to bear on the Sudanese Government, and traveling all over the world to 
coalesce international support for a peaceful end to the violence in 
Darfur.
  Mr. Natsios has also worked to maintain the focus of both the United 
States and the international community on the implementation of the 
Comprehensive Peace Agreement between north and south Sudan. Without a 
comprehensive understanding of and approach to Sudan's many conflicts, 
any policy responses will be inherently flawed. Mr. Natsios's 
understanding of this reality has filtered through his approach to 
Sudan.
  During his time as special envoy to Sudan, Mr. Natsios has 
demonstrated an unflagging desire to alleviate the suffering of the 
men, women and children all across Sudan who want to be free from 
oppression and violence, and who want a voice in their livelihoods and 
in the future of their country. I wish Mr. Natsios the best in his 
future endeavors.

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