HR26

Public Testimony in Support of HR26 To the Chair, and members of the House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee, My name is Grace Kindeke, and I am a Congolese American -- born in Congo and raised in New Hampshire. I’m here today to speak in strong support of HR26 and to share why it matters deeply—not just as a matter of foreign policy, but as a matter of human life, dignity, family and community. The Democratic Republic of Congo continues to face ongoing conflict, humanitarian crises, and political instability, particularly in its eastern regions. For many people, that may sound distant, abstract or disconnected to those of us living in a different part of the world. For me and for many of the Congolese people who call the Granite State home, it is deeply personal. The war in Congo has shaped my life and deeply impacted my family. It has meant loved ones forced to flee their homes, years of uncertainty about safety, and the lasting trauma that comes from living under the constant threat of violence. Millions of Congolese civilians have been displaced due to violence perpetrated by armed groups backed by global powers who seek control over our mineral resources. Behind that statistic are families like mine—parents separated from children, communities destroyed, and people struggling without access to basic services, food, or medical care. Even today, many of us in the Congolese Diaspora wake up to news from home that brings fear, grief, and overwhelming helplessness. We hear the stories, mourn the losses and do what we can oceans away to help and support our loved ones. This resolution matters because it recognizes that the people of the Congo deserve peace, safety, and self-determination. I am especially grateful that it reaffirms support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic aspirations of the Congolese people. Those words matter. For decades, Congolese voices have too often been ignored while decisions were made about our country without us. The United States has a longstanding commitment to promoting peace, human rights, and democratic governance around the world. Urging increased diplomatic engagement and humanitarian assistance is not charity—it is a moral responsibility and a strategic investment in long-term stability. International cooperation, including coordination with the United Nations, the African Union, and the Congolese Community of the United States (including right here in NH), is essential if we are to move toward real peace and accountability for decades of violence and human rights violations. As a Congolese American, I carry both pride and pain. Pride in the creativity and resilience of my people, and pain from winessing suffering continue year after year, generation after generation. This resolution sends a powerful message: that the lives of the Congolese people matter, that their suffering is seen, and that peace is still possible because we refuse to look away and are willing to speak out. I urge you to support this bill and stand on the right side of history—alongside the Congolese people in New Hampshire (and beyond), their democratic aspirations, and their hope for a future free from violence and filled with prosperity. I urge the committee to vote OTP on HR26. Thank you for your time and consideration. Grace Kindeke Manchester, NH

This resolution is about standing with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and affirming their right to sovereignty, democracy, and peace. For many families here in New Hampshire, the situation in the DRC isn’t abstract, it’s personal. By calling for continued monitoring and coordination with our international partners, we’re saying that lasting peace matters, that the voices of the Congolese people matter, and that New Hampshire stands with them.

Position recorded without written comment.