On May 5th, 2010, the National Holiday of Children's Day in Japan, the US House of Representatives will introduce a US House Resolution to condemn the abduction and retention of children being held in Japan. A press conference will be held on Capitol Hill to introduce the resolution. Speakers will include Congressman James Moran (D-VA), Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), and victim parents Christopher Savoie, Commander Paul Toland and Doug Berg.
Voice of America covers BAC Home and our protest efforts in front of the Japanese Embassy. Christopher Savoie and Ken Connelly are interviewed for this story by VOA's MacKenzie Babb. Washington, District of Columbia U.S. Senator Jim M. Inhofe (R-OK), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, submitted a written statement for the hearing on US-Japan relations about two subjects of concern: Japan’s hesitation on relocating the U.S. Marine’s Futenma Air Station and the ever increasing abduction of children to Japan. Senator Inhofe submits a written statement on Japanese child abductions at a Senate hearing on US-Japan relations.
By Ken Connelly As many of you know, my heart and soul lay in the intertwined fabric of Parental Child Abduction. Due to the lack of hours in a day, I am not one to throw myself like the wind to every group in parental child abduction. This past week, I was honored to participate with a number of left-behind parents in Washington D.C. This particular group struck a very deep and real emotion in me, one I have often ignored or have not allowed myself to feel. Douglass Berg speaks in front of the Ambassador's residence the night of the D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival, April 10, 2010.
The Japanese festival of cherry blossom viewing is celebrated in Washington, DC every year. Cherry blossoms were donated by Japan 98 years ago to promote goodwill. Today, Japan considers itself a close ally of the US. However, there is a dark side to Japan that most Americans are unaware of. For the past 58 years, Japan has continued to perpetrate human rights abuses against American children, our most vulnerable citizens. |
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