McHenry Times

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) praised the work of Connect2Peace, the Peace Coalition of the Rock River Valley, while speaking out Wednesday, Sept. 21, in support of the International Day of Peace.

"I rise on the International Day of Peace to applaud the efforts of Connect2Peace, the Peace Coalition of the Rock River Valley, to draw attention to the plight of children and refugees whose lives have been forever disrupted by war," Hultgren said.

Hultgren called for world peace. He also praised the efforts of Denny Johnson, founder of Kids Around the World, and Melissa Fleming, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Their work focuses on children and the plight of refugees fleeing conflicts in their home countries.

"Groups like Kids Around the World in Rockford have stepped in to feed children and help them enjoy their disrupted childhoods through donated playground sets," Hultgren said.

He also talked about a conversation titled "How to Help Refugees Rebuild Their World" held at  at Rockford University on Wednesday. Fleming appeared at the free event, which was cohosted by Rockford University and Connect2Peace.

"As chief spokesperson, Ms. Fleming speaks around the world on behalf of the more than 65 million vulnerable and voiceless people — half of which are children — who are displaced from their homes by war, conflict and persecution," Hultgren said. "Helping refugees rebuild amid war and poverty is difficult and complicated."

The International Day of Peace, celebrated Wednesday, Sept. 21, was implemented by the United Nations in 1981.