Champions of Darfur

Since the genocide in Darfur began more than three years ago, several members of Congress have emerged as champions for the cause. These members have done all they can to raise awareness of Darfur, both in Congress and in their communities, and have taken concrete action to stop the genocide. They have introduced legislation, chaired caucuses, held hearings, traveled to Darfur, written opinion articles, and engaged the Administration on the matter.

This bipartisan group of “Darfur champions” should be thanked for all they have done to save lives in Darfur. They have made a genuine difference and will go down in history as “upstanders”, individuals who instead of averting their attention, spoke up against genocide.

Congressional Champions

Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA)
Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA)
  • Only Holocaust survivor in Congress
  • Sponsored H. Res. 723, calling for a NATO bridging force in Darfur
  • Arrested in front of Sudanese Embassy on April 28, 2006
Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ)
  • Co-chair of the Sudan Caucus
  • Introduced the 2004 resolution, H. Con. Res. 467, calling Darfur a genocide
Rep. Thomas Tancredo (R-CO)
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA)
  • Co-chair of the Sudan Caucus
  • Helped urge the State Department to revoke the waiver of Sudan lobbyist Robert Cabelly
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
  • Sponsored an amendment to add $50 million for peacekeeping operations in Darfur
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS)