III 108th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 421 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

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.