[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 523 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 523

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 
    terrorist bombing of the United States Embassies in East Africa.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 9, 1998

 Mr. Hastings of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 
    terrorist bombing of the United States Embassies in East Africa.

Whereas on August 7, 1998, 254 people, 12 of whom were United States citizens, 
        were killed when a bomb exploded at the United States Embassy in 
        Nairobi, Kenya, and 9 people were killed when a bomb exploded at the 
        United States Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;
Whereas these bombs were detonated minutes apart and were clearly coordinated;
Whereas in both cases trucks, driven by suicidal terrorists and loaded with 
        explosives, approached the embassies but were diverted from attacking 
        their primary targets by quick thinking Embassy security staff;
Whereas the bombs did explode, injuring thousands of innocent civilians and 
        destroying millions of dollars worth of local property;
Whereas the Governments of Israel and France immediately sent search and rescue 
        teams to aid in the aftermath of the bombings;
Whereas on August 7, 1998, Pakistani police arrested suspect Muhammad Sadiq 
        Odeh, who confessed to being part of a team which was orchestrated and 
        financed by Osama bin Laden; and
Whereas Osama bin Laden, an exiled Saudi Arabian businessman who is believed to 
        be currently living in Afghanistan, is a known sponsor of international 
        terrorism against secular Middle Eastern regimes and has publicly stated 
        his support for attacks against American influence, Americans, and 
        American targets: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses the deep condolences of the House of 
        Representatives and the American people to the families of all 
        persons killed or injured in the bombing;
            (2) expresses our dismay for the mayhem and destruction 
        visited upon the Governments and people of Kenya and Tanzania;
            (3) expresses gratitude to the people and the Governments 
        of Kenya and Tanzania for their assistance to the people and 
        the property of the United States in the aftermath of the 
        bombings;
            (4) expresses our gratitude to the United States Embassy 
        guards whose quick thinking and heroic actions prevented even 
        more deaths and injuries;
            (5) expresses our gratitude to the people and the 
        Governments of Israel and France, as well as the many private 
        organizations which volunteered to assist the United States in 
        the aftermath of the bombings;
            (6) expresses our condemnation of all persons and parties 
        involved in the outrageous and illegal attacks which resulted 
        in the tragic loss of life of so many Americans and Africans;
            (7) expresses the determination of the House of 
        Representatives to assist, in any way possible, in the arrest 
        of all persons responsible for these attacks; and
            (8) expresses the intention of the House of Representatives 
        to examine whether security needs of United States facilities 
        overseas are being met and what kinds of tools can be employed 
        to discourage nations from harboring terrorists.
                                 <all>