INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY & HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE
ISHRI
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CAPITAL TO VILLAGE IMMERSION
© 2005 International Solidarity & Human Rights Institute, P.O. Box 4152, Steubenville, OH 43952
ISHRI - Forming tomorrow's leaders and creating a "culture of peace" through Catholic Social Teaching
© 2006 International Solidarity & Human Rights Institute, P.O. Box 4152, Steubenville, OH 43952
Flooding Nations: Reflections From One
By Maggie Mosher
It wasn’t the rushing water, closed streets, or largest rainfall to hit the east coast since 1979 that made the biggest impact on DC the summer of 2006. Though both arrived on June 25th, I did not know as I embarked on the International Solidarity and Human Right’s Institute’s (ISHRI) capitol to village mission that, in the midst of one of the largest Mid-Atlantic US floods in history, something much stronger was flooding our nation. This flood would not disappear as all was presumed “right” with the world again. And, though this flood’s effects would not tear down houses or giant trees, it would begin to tear down a wall of silence and indifference…it would become a flood that transcends borders and hears a neighbor, often ignored, crying out for help.
The trip began with the rush of meetings and hearings which informed us about recent trafficking laws passed from Somalia to Belgium and the effects of these laws. Our team was privileged to sit in the U.S. Capitol building with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry as he prepared to vote. While waiting, we had the opportunity to discuss the situation in Mexico with Congresswoman Katherine Harris. She provided a great deal of insight on the need to boost the economy in Mexico in order for corruption and trafficking to be decreased. We spoke with congressmen Henry Cuellar and Chris Smith between hearings about their work with boarder immersion and human rights improvements. We also listened as Senator Sam Brownback led a hearing to discuss the recent improvement in trafficking laws in Belgium. After the hearing, we had the opportunity to speak with Bryan Clark, legislative correspondent, about human rights legislation being addressed by Brownback and his staff.
Our nights continued with great conversations with those such as Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women of America, who shared her experiences, which included being thrown in jail for defending the rights of innocent children. I was able to talk with Wendy about everything from educational policy to the most recent victim whom Wendy helped to obtain amnesty. I spoke with Steven Valentine, former immigration official, and Arlene Render, former ambassador to the Ivory Coast. Arlene shared of the lives she became intertwined with as, in September of 2002, heavy fighting broke out at her post in Bouake. Arlene remained trapped in a school building with 100 American children and staff. She remained there with the children for over a week, as heavy gunfire shot across the school compound. It was due to her courageous efforts that each child was eventually brought to safety.
Encounters continued as we shared our desires to make change and were advised by Pat Harvey, policy advisor for human rights in W. Africa; Patrick Kelly Senior, advisor and counsel to the ambassador at large for International Religious Freedom; Ronald J. McNamara, International Policy Director; Dorothy Taft, Helsinki Human Rights Commission of Congress Deputy Chief of Staff; Scott Bloch, Special Counsel to the President; and Nancy E. Roman Vice President and Director of the Council on Foreign Relations, who each acted on their desire to make a difference. In one short week, I realized that there were people in our nation fighting to inspire change.
