MARLBORO, New Jersey — New Jersey Republican Representative Chris Smith is a prominent figure in transforming the world into a better place. Having served as Representative for 18 terms, Smith has been successful in sponsoring and passing over 20 resolutions, a small portion of his accomplishments.
Smith earned his position as a senior member in the Foreign Affairs Committee, and is defined on his governmental website as, “chairman of Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organization Subcommittee.”
On the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Smith is “Chairman and the highest ranking House member.”
These positions have contributed to his success as not only a politician and an advocate.
Under the CSCE, Smith centralized his legislation on human trafficking, religious freedom, Anti-Semitism and the Helsinki Principles. While each law addresses certain principles and goals, all address basic human rights.
In a globalized society, the need for quick, cheap labor has skyrocketed causing an increase in human trafficking. Child sex trafficking is also rising.
To change this system and give individuals hope and better opportunities, Smith supplemented information in 2013 to the Addendum to the OSCE Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking of Human Beings. This information triggered other global leaders to address these issues.
Following his accomplishment in 2013, Smith wrote House Resolution 354 that calls for more safety and security measures within European Jewish communities.
His dedication to religious tolerance in 2015 seceded his earlier work whereby he is, defined by the CSCE as, “founding member of the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism” and, chairman for, “Congress’s first hearings on anti-Semitism.”
His religious tolerance is evident in his religious freedom legislation. He contributed and oversaw the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
To provide all with, “sovereign equality, territorial integrity, respect for universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, and equal rights and self-determination of peoples,” Smith advocates for the Helsinki Principles.
While these are just the main components of Smith’s work in the CSCE, The Borgen Project also champions his success in addressing unfair government regimes and economic opportunities.
In 2004, Smith was the prime sponsor for the Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004, which sought to lift NGO restrictions and collaborate with USAID to address the overspending on, “expensive consultants and contractors rather than reaching entrepreneurs in the developing world.”
In overcoming this inefficient allocation, the U.S. was able to support and help developing countries flourish.
In addressing unjust governments, Smith was the prime sponsor for House Resolution 364, which urged the “U.N. to pass a resolution on China’s human rights abuses,” as well as House Resolution 21 addressing human rights in Cuba.
H.Res 364 rapidly became more important. On October 11, Smith addressed China’s Human Rights violations that he described as, “utterly disgusting.”
Since 1989, China has suppressed humanitarian workers when they expose unjust conditions. China also continues to support “Two-Child Policy,” and religious restrictions.
Both of these resolutions are action-oriented to address and create solutions to the rising human rights violations in both countries.
Smith continued and intensified his efforts to combat anti-semitic views in a bipartisan bill that strengthens the U.S. cooperation with Europe to provide safe and secure environments for Jews. He has also introduced House Resolution 861 that calls for respect for human rights in Ethiopia.
Domestically, Smith works to support local servicemen, children and scientific research. In 2015, Smith sponsored H. Res 2820 to promote stem cell research to reduce rampant diseases amongst children and adults.
Earlier this year, Smith passed Megan’s Law that protects children from undocumented convicted pedophiles. Under this law, locals must be notified when a sex offender has moved into their neighborhood.
Most recently, as of October 11, Smith showed his dedication to servicemen as he announced grants for FEMA and EMT officers in order to receive appropriate protection and equipment.
Representative Chris Smith continues to have an enormous impact in and outside the U.S. His dedication to justice and human rights are identifiable at the numerous laws and resolutions he has been involved in. The Borgen Project recognizes and admires Smith’s indefinite impact to change the world into a better place not only for his district but for all global citizens.
– Kristen Guyler
Photo: Flickr