[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 453 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 453

 Condemning the terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15, 
    2003, expressing condolences to the families of the individuals 
 murdered and expressing sympathies to the individuals injured in the 
terrorist attacks, and standing in solidarity with Turkey in the fight 
                           against terrorism.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 19, 2003

Mr. Hastings of Florida (for himself, Mr. Wexler, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. 
   Lantos, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Granger, Mr. Whitfield, Mr. Berman, Mr. 
 Weiner, Mr. Deutsch, Mr. English, Mr. Waxman, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Moran of 
 Virginia, Mr. Wynn, Ms. Harman, Mr. Levin, Mr. Engel, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. 
 Towns, Ms. Norton, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Burton of 
Indiana, Ms. Solis, Mr. Dicks, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Rodriguez, 
   and Mrs. Tauscher) submitted the following resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Condemning the terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15, 
    2003, expressing condolences to the families of the individuals 
 murdered and expressing sympathies to the individuals injured in the 
terrorist attacks, and standing in solidarity with Turkey in the fight 
                           against terrorism.

Whereas in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15, 2003, two explosions, set off two 
        minutes apart, devastated Neve Shalom, the city's largest synagogue and 
        symbolic center to the city's 25,000 member Jewish community, and the 
        Beth Israel synagogue about three miles away;
Whereas more than 20 people, both Jews and Muslims, were killed in the horrific 
        bombing attacks on the two synagogues in Istanbul, as Sabbath morning 
        services were under way in both houses of worship as well as a Bar 
        Mitzvah in one of the synagogues;
Whereas more than 303 individuals were wounded in the attacks, both Jews and 
        Muslims;
Whereas the acts of murder committed on November 15, 2003, in Istanbul, Turkey, 
        were a cowardly and brutal manifestation of international terrorism;
Whereas the Government of Turkey immediately condemned the terrorist attacks in 
        the strongest possible terms and has vowed to bring the perpetrators to 
        justice at all costs;
Whereas the United States and Turkey abhor and denounce these hateful, 
        repugnant, and loathsome acts of terrorism;
Whereas terrorism and anti-Semitic activity throughout the world continue to 
        escalate, and the safety and security of Jewish people throughout the 
        world is a matter of serious concern;
Whereas Turkey is a country well known for its tolerance, religious plurality, 
        and good Jewish-Muslim relations;
Whereas the United States and Turkey are natural allies, based on their shared 
        values and common interests in building a stable, peaceful, and 
        prosperous world in the 21st century;
Whereas Turkey, a predominantly Muslim nation with a secular government, also 
        has close relations with Israel and is the only Muslim member of the 
        North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO);
Whereas the acts of murder committed on November 15, 2003, in Istanbul, Turkey, 
        show once again that terrorism respects neither boundaries nor borders;
Whereas global terrorism intends to harm every country that respects democracy, 
        freedom, equality, and the rule of law; and
Whereas terrorism must be condemned in the strongest terms whenever and wherever 
        it occurs: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist 
        attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 15, 2003;
            (2) expresses its deepest condolences to the families of 
        the individuals murdered in the terrorist attacks and expresses 
        sympathies to the individuals injured in the attacks and 
        conveys its hope for the rapid and complete recovery of all 
        such injured individuals; and
            (3) urges the United States, Turkey, and all other 
        countries to stand united against terrorism that targets the 
        civilized world and to work together to bring to justice the 
        perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey.
                                 <all>