Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
Durbin Urges Postponement of International Hockey Tournament Over Concerns About Belarusian Human Rights Record
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Peter Stastny, National Hockey League Hall of Famer and Member of European Parliament sent a letter to the International Ice Hockey Federation today, urging them to postpone the 2014 Ice Hockey Championship in Minsk, Belarus over human rights concerns. "We write to urge the International Ice Hockey Federation to suspend its 2014 Ice Hockey Championship in Minsk, Belarus until that co… Continue Reading
03.29.11
Durbin Chairs First-Ever Hearing on the Civil RIghts of American Muslims
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired the first-ever Congressional hearing on the civil rights of American Muslims today where he highlighted the "First Freedom" - the freedom of religion - and the rights the Constitution affords all Americans. "Many of our nation's founders fled religious persecution, which is why our Constitution puts great importance on religious freedom."Durbin said. "Today, addressing anti-Muslim discrimination is an important c… Continue Reading
03.18.11
Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Political Repression in Belarus Passes Senate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bipartisan resolution condemning recent Belarusian elections as illegitimate and calling on the Belarusian regime to immediately release all political prisoners, unanimously passed the Senate late yesterday. The resolution also calls for a tightening of the of the list of Belarusian officials who are subject to U.S. and European Union travel and financial sanctions, new elections in Belarus that meet international standards, tightening of EU sanctions against the Belarusia… Continue Reading
03.18.11
Durbin and Corker Introduce Water for the World Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bipartisan group lead by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) introduced the Water for the World Act late yesterday, a bill that bill builds on the success of the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act by placing clean water in the forefront of America's development priorities, seeking to reach 100 million people around the world with sustainable first time access to clean water and sanitation within six years of enactment. The b… Continue Reading
03.15.11
Durbin Writes Letter in Support of Dr. Muhammad Yunus
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote a letter to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, voicing strong concern over the recent dismissal of Professor Muhammad Yunus as Managing Director of Grameen Bank. Yunus, winner of the Noble Peace Prize, founded Grameen Bank in 1983 as a microfinance and community development bank focused on making small loans to Bangladesh's poor population. The circumstances surrounding Dr. Yunus' dismissal are suspect and have… Continue Reading
03.09.11
Durbin, Lieberman, Lead Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Political Oppression in Belarus
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) introduced a resolution today, condemning recent Belarusian elections as illegitimate and calling on the Belarusian regime to immediately release all political prisoners. The resolution also calls for expansion of the list of Belarusian officials who are subject to U.S. and European Union travel and financial sanctions, new elections in Belarus that meet international standards, expanded EU … Continue Reading
03.07.11
Tyrants can use Facebook, too
There has been much talk lately about the "Facebook revolution" in the Middle East. But the rhetoric oversimplifies a more complicated reality. The Internet has helped activists from Morocco to Iran organize demonstrations and publicize human rights abuses. The world had a front-row seat at the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions thanks to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. This publicity likely helped restrain government crackdowns on protesters. While the mainstream media has limited acces… Continue Reading
02.18.11
Durbin, Snowe, Others Introduce Bill to Eliminate the Practice of Child Marriages Overseas
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced legislation yesterday which seeks to end the harmful practice of child marriage oversees. The International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act would require the U.S. Government to develop an integrated, strategic approach to reduce, and ultimately end, the practice of child marriage. The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Boxer (D-CA), Cardin (D-MD) Brown (R-MA) a… Continue Reading
02.10.11
Durbin Statement on the Situation in Egypt
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned, handing power to Vice President Omar Suleiman and Egypt's military: "For more than two weeks, tens of thousands of Egyptians have been peacefully calling for a voice in choosing a representative government. Today, with the departure of Mubarak, those calls have been heard. Egypt's future is now in the hands of the Egyptian people. … Continue Reading
02.02.11
Durbin Meets with Illinois Businesses to Discuss Opportunities to Export to Africa
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Corporate Council on Africa - which included representatives from two Illinois companies - to discuss challenges faced by U.S. companies that want to do business in Africa. Durbin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee listened to the group's ideas on how the U.S. government can more effectively help American companies compete in the African market, particularly against China. "For businesses - both… Continue Reading
02.01.11
Durbin Statement on New Belarusian Sanctions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the State Department announced new sanctions against Belarus and the regime of President Alexander Lukashenka: "I applaud the new, targeted, sanctions and travel restrictions against Lukashenka and those helping to prop up his dictatorship," Durbin said. "Lukashenka should be under no illusions - these sanctions are only the first step. Until all political prisoners are uncon… Continue Reading
01.27.11
Durbin Joins Senate Foreign Relations Committee
[WASHINGTION, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) will join the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when the panel convenes for the start of the 112th Congress. "I'm pleased to be joining my colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations committee," Durbin said. "America's engagement overseas is not only critical for our national security, but it is vital to Illinois' economy and status as a crossroads for global business and culture. I look forward to the opportunity … Continue Reading
01.25.11
The Bully of Belarus
Mr. President, during the recent 2-week recess, I was invited to speak to the Parliament of the nation of Lithuania in the capital of Vilnius. It was a great honor. This country holds a special place in my family. My mother was born in Lithuania. One hundred years ago this year, my grandmother brought her, her brother, and sister to America. My mother was 2 years old. They landed in Baltimore, and somehow our family found its way to meet up with my grandfather in East St. Louis, IL… Continue Reading
01.15.11
Durbin Visits Belarus
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) spent Friday in Minsk, Belarus, following two days of high-level meetings in Lithuania. Durbin, who was in Lithuania to address that nation's parliament, made a side trip to Belarus following a violent crackdown surrounding presidential elections last month. Last month, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka claimed a fourth term as president - an announcement that was followed by violent confrontations in the capita… Continue Reading
01.12.11
Durbin Travels to Lithuania
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) is in Vilnius, Lithuania where he will conduct three days of high-level meetings with Lithuanian officials and address the Lithuanian Parliament. Durbin arrived in Vilnius this morning and will return to the U.S. on Saturday. Durbin, the highest ranking Lithuanian-American in the U.S. government, will address the Lithuanian Seimas (Parliament) on Thursday, January 13. Durbin will mark the 20th anniversary of the Day of … Continue Reading
12.02.10
Durbin, Snowe Bill to Protect Women and Girls from Child Marriage Passes Senate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The Senate unanimously passed the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act late last night, a bill to protect women and girls in developing countries from child marriages. The bill, introduced by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), requires the U.S. government to develop an integrated, strategic approach to combating child marriage with the goal of eliminating this practice worldwide. The bill also seek… Continue Reading
05.26.10
Durbin Announces Nearly $1 Million in FEMA Grants for Illinois Fire Departments
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded 8 grants totaling $992,001 to fire departments throughout Illinois for operations and safety."Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and women put themselves in harm's way, we must ensure that they are equipped with the best resources pos… Continue Reading
05.20.10
Durbin Welcomes Two Chicago Area Leaders a Special Guests to the Joint Session of Congress
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today welcomed Sylvia Puente and Artemio Arreola as his guests to an address by the President of Mexico Felipe Calderon Hinojosa to a joint session of Congress. Durbin, a member of the Senate Escort Committee, will meet with his guests prior to the joint session. "At today's Joint Session of Congress, I look forward to hearing President Calderon's views on strengthening the partnership between our two nations," said Durbin. … Continue Reading
05.18.10
Durbin Chairs Hearing on Mexican and Colombian Drug Enforcement and US Criminal Justice Assistance
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today chaired the first ever Congressional oversight hearing on U.S. rule of law assistance to foreign drug enforcement efforts. The hearing was held before Durbin's Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. The United States is working with Mexico and Colombia to develop strong and effective criminal justice systems that will allow each country to protect their citizens from human rights violatio… Continue Reading
05.12.10
Durbin Announces More than $600,000 in FEMA Grants for Illinois Fire Protection Services
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded 5 grants totaling $602,555 to fire departments and protection services throughout Illinois for operations and safety. "Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and women put themselves in harm's way, we must ensure that the… Continue Reading