[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 421 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 421

    Expressing outrage at the recent terrorist atrocities in Beslan, 
  Russian Federation, and condolences to the families of the victims.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 9, 2004

    Mr. Daschle (for himself, Mr. Talent, Mr. Biden, Mr. Frist, Mr. 
    Santorum, Mr. McConnell, and Mr. Lott) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing outrage at the recent terrorist atrocities in Beslan, 
  Russian Federation, and condolences to the families of the victims.

Whereas on Wednesday, September 1, 2004, a group of approximately 30 terrorists 
        took control of School No. 1, located in Beslan, North Ossetia, Russian 
        Federation, and held approximately 1,200 Russians hostage;
Whereas the terrorists reportedly infiltrated the school and stockpiled weapons 
        and explosives during the ongoing renovation of the school;
Whereas the terrorists held the captives for more than 50 hours, and denied the 
        captives, including the children, access to food, water, and medicine;
Whereas the terrorists rigged the school with explosives, including a large bomb 
        in the center of the gymnasium where the hostages were being held, and 
        strapped suicide bombs to themselves;
Whereas children, parents, and teachers who attempted to flee, or to assist the 
        hostages that attempted to escape, were shot by the terrorists;
Whereas on September 3, 2004, Russian troops and the Beslan hostage-takers 
        exchanged gun fire, a bomb exploded that collapsed the roof of the 
        school, the terrorists began killing the hostages, and massive loss of 
        life ensued;
Whereas this horrendous terrorist action left more than 300 people dead, many of 
        them children, as well as hundreds more who are severely wounded or 
        unaccounted for;
Whereas the Russian people, as a result of this and other attacks in recent 
        weeks, have experienced incredible loss and are experiencing immense 
        grief as they begin the process of burying their loved ones killed by 
        the actions of these terrorists; and
Whereas the United States has sent medical supplies and has offered its moral 
        support to the Russian people in response to the terrorist attack at 
        School No. 1: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) condemns in the strongest possible terms this 
        despicable act;
            (2) expresses its condolences to the Russian people and in 
        particular to those families who lost loved ones in the Beslan 
        school tragedy; and
            (3) commends the efforts of the United States Government to 
        provide humanitarian and medical assistance to the people of 
        the Russian Federation.
                                 <all>