As the official launch of the 2008 Olympics commences and over 100 countries join together in sportsmanship, this event- a celebration of unity, is undermined by the cruelty that divides us between those who have a voice and those who are denied their most basic freedoms.

The New York Times reports that China selected 08.08.08 for the official launch of the Olympic games because the word “eight” sounds like the word for “good fortune” in both Mandarin and Cantonese. Yet for China’s (approximate) 40 million Burmese neighbors, this time conjures anything but the notion of good luck.

Twenty years and one day prior, marks the death of an estimated 3,000 peaceful demonstrators and the continued severity of a devastating military regime that commits the most gruesome of atrocities against its people.

On this somber anniversary, August 7, 2008, First Lady Laura Bush traveled to the boarder of Thailand and Myanmar to meet with some of the estimated 140,000 refugees seeking safety along the border. During her visit, the First Lady urged China and other nations to impose sanctions- and called for the release of Aung San suu Kyi, the head of Burma’s popularly elected National League for Democracy who continues to endure more than 12 years under house arrest for her leadership and activism.

The comments of First Lady Laura Bush on this historic day come exactly four months after Mrs. Bush joined Vital Voices at our Annual Global Leadership Awards. There she honored Burmese human rights activist, Charm Tong, who accepted the award on behalf of Aung San suu Kyi and the women of Burma.

In the midst of this solemn occasion, I find great solace in remembering this moment of solidarity and the achievements of extraordinary activists like Charm Tong and Aung San Suu Kyi who dare to fight for peace and freedom. For those who would like to learn more and share this moment, I encourage you to watch our video honoring Aung San suu Kyi’s heroism and view Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, First Lady Laura Bush & Charm Tong address the situation in Burma at the 2008 Global Leadership Awards.