I would like to thank Smeal College of Business Professor Andrew Bergstein for calling attention to the horrific problem of diamonds funding terror in West Africa. Because of "dirty diamonds" thousands of children have no arms as warring factions amputated children's limbs as a means of instilling fear.

Profits from the sale of "dirty diamonds" have not only spawned bloody wars in West Africa that have dislocated millions of people, but have also supplied millions of dollars to al Qaeda according to the FBI.

On January 28 many in the State College community were moved as teenage asylum seekers from Sierra Leone told their story about the absolute trauma the diamonds have caused in their country.

At the end of March the diamond industry will meet with NGOs in Ottawa, Canada to discuss an international diamond certification system, known as the Kimberly Process.

Before this group meets, the United States needs to send a clear and powerful message by implementing the strongest legislation possible to halt the flow of "dirty diamonds."

For many people in West Africa diamonds have come not to symbolize love, but war, misery and the loss of children's limbs and for many Americans these "dirty diamonds" have threatened our national security.