Three Weeks Amid Russia's Attack: Espaillat Stands in Support of Ukraine. Watch Espaillat Floor Remarks WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) spoke on the U.S. House floor once again in support of Ukrainians fleeing violence as a result of Putin's war. During his remarks, Espaillat urged support of his war crimes resolution highlighting the ongoing atrocities and growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The following are remarks by Rep. Espaillat as prepared for delivery: "It’s clear that Vladimir Putin has committed war crimes by violating international law, including the Geneva Conventions, in his violent and bloody war of conquest on Ukraine.
"Yesterday, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy painted a haunting picture of the pain being inflicted on Ukraine and war crimes being waged on Ukrainians trying to keep themselves and their families safe.
"I along with Congressman David Cicilline have introduced a War Crimes Resolution – H.Res.964 – calling on the global community to hold Putin and the Russian government accountable for their war crimes.
"Russian forces have used explosive weapons with wide range near schools and populated areas – hitting them with missiles and heavy artillery. It is a violation of the Geneva Conventions to target civilians and cultural sites. On March 1st, a Russian airstrike hit Freedom Square in Kharkiv, killing several civilians, injuring dozens of innocent people. On March 1st, a Russian missile hit the location of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial site, a place where thousands of Jewish people were killed between 1941 and 1943. On March 3rd, 47 civilians were killed when Russia hit two schools, apartment buildings, and injuring countless more.
"It is a violation of the Geneva Conventions to attack medical units. On March 9th, Russian forces bombed a maternity and children’s hospital in the city of Mariupol. The world watched a pregnant woman be carried – lifeless – from the hospital wreckage on a stretcher. Both she and her child passed away. The World Health Organization has also confirmed several attacks on health care centers in Ukraine, causing countless deaths and injuries.
"It is a violation of the Geneva Conventions to target nuclear facilities. On March 3rd, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of 'nuclear terror' as Russian tanks shot at the nuclear blocks at a nuclear power station. More than 3 million refugees have fled Ukraine. Each day in Ukraine more than 70,000 children have become refugees. That’s 55 children fleeing the country every minute. There have been nearly 2,000 civilian casualties in the country, and over 1,000 people injured. And yesterday, the International Court of Justice overwhelmingly found that Russia must immediately suspend its unlawful military invasion of Ukraine.
"It is clear that Vladimir Putin and the Russian Government have committed war crimes. They invaded a sovereign nation and are attacking the very core of liberty and democracy. We must hold them accountable and do all we can to support brave Ukrainians fighting for their freedom."
Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/. | 
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