110 HCON 389 IH: Congratulating the Republic of Colombia on U.S. House of Representatives 2008-07-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 389 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 9, 2008 Mr. Brady of Texas (for himself, Mr. Weller of Illinois, Mr. Blunt, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. McCrery, Mr. Herger, and Mr. Dreier) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Congratulating the Republic of Colombia on its successful rescue mission and thanking Colombian President Álvaro Uribe for the safe return of the Americans held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Whereas the Government of Colombia carried out a historic rescue mission on July 2, 2008, freeing 15 hostages kidnapped and held in captivity by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a group the Department of State has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization; Whereas this mission was carried out without any violence; Whereas the 3 freed American hostages, Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell, and Thomas Howes, were held in captivity since 2003; Whereas the release of former Colombian presidential candidate and senator Ingrid Betancourt and 11 Colombian hostages has brought hope and joy to Colombians and the French; Whereas the United States supports Colombia’s efforts to eradicate narcotics trade and terrorist activity in Colombia, and strengthen its democratic institutions to pave the way for peace; Whereas the United States has provided significant security assistance and training for the Colombian security forces through Plan Colombia; Whereas such United States assistance aided the Colombian military in preparing for the rescue mission; and Whereas the FARC reportedly still holds more than 700 hostages in captivity: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress— (1)congratulates the Republic of Colombia on the successful rescue mission that resulted in the freeing of 15 hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), without any loss of life; (2)commends the Colombian military for its careful planning of the mission and the brave Colombian soldiers who executed the dramatic rescue; (3)offers its deepest thanks and gratitude to President Álvaro Uribe and the people of Colombia for the safe return of the 3 American hostages, Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes, and Keith Stansell; (4)recognizes the close friendship between the United States and the Republic of Colombia; and (5)remembers the remaining hostages in captivity and calls upon the FARC to release all remaining hostages and cease hostilities immediately, without condition.