WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today commemorated the 100th anniversary of Nobel laureate Andrei Sakharov’s birthday by announcing they will introduce a bipartisan resolution lauding the renowned physicist’s legacy of activism and impassioned dedication to human rights advocacy and nuclear disarmament.
“At huge personal cost, Andrei Sakharov devoted himself to fighting the Soviet Union’s strictures on free speech and thought,” said Ranking Member Risch. “He selflessly used his prominence to promote the rule of law, fight for internally displaced groups, and support political prisoners, even dedicating his 1975 Nobel Peace Prize to 126 Soviet prisoners of conscience. His example still inspires all of us today.”
“Today, as we face brazen abuses of fundamental human rights worldwide, we look to the giants of our past for guidance in our struggle to secure a more peaceful and prosperous tomorrow,” Chairman Menendez said. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution honoring Dr. Andrei Sakharov, whose dogged determination in the pursuit of justice and courage to speak truth to power without restraint serve as the ultimate standard to which we must continue to aspire. We all have an obligation to follow in his footsteps and renew our commitment to support democracy, good governance, and human rights.”
Text of the resolution can be found here.
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