[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 538 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 538

Expressing the condolences of the Senate to the families of James Foley 
 and Steven Sotloff, and condemning the terrorist acts of the Islamic 
                     State of Iraq and the Levant.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 9, 2014

 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. 
Menendez) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the condolences of the Senate to the families of James Foley 
 and Steven Sotloff, and condemning the terrorist acts of the Islamic 
                     State of Iraq and the Levant.

Whereas James Foley and Steven Sotloff were highly respected journalists whose 
        integrity and dedication were a credit to their profession;
Whereas James Foley and Steven Sotloff embodied the spirit of our Nation's First 
        Amendment liberties, including the freedom of the press;
Whereas James Foley and Steven Sotloff made significant contributions to our 
        Nation through their courageous reporting of events in Libya, Syria, and 
        elsewhere;
Whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is a terrorist 
        organization responsible for committing barbaric acts against United 
        States citizens;
Whereas ISIL continues to hold hostages in blatant contravention of 
        international law;
Whereas ISIL has committed despicable acts of violence against Iraqi Christians, 
        forcing many to flee their ancient homeland;
Whereas ISIL has committed despicable acts of violence against Muslims who do 
        not subscribe to ISIL's depraved, violent, and oppressive ideology;
Whereas ISIL has threatened to decimate the ancient Yazidi population of Iraq 
        while abducting Yazidi women and children and subjecting them to rape, 
        forced marriage, and slavery;
Whereas ISIL has targeted many other religious and ethnic minority groups, 
        including Turkmen populations; and
Whereas ISIL threatens to conduct terrorist attacks internationally: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved,

SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

    The Senate--
            (1) strongly condemns the terrorist acts of ISIL, including 
        the barbaric and deplorable murders of James Foley and Steven 
        Sotloff;
            (2) mourns the deaths of James Foley and Steven Sotloff and 
        expresses its condolences to their families;
            (3) salutes James Foley and Steven Sotloff for their 
        unwavering and courageous pursuit of journalistic excellence 
        under the most difficult and dangerous of conditions;
            (4) supports efforts to vigorously pursue and bring to 
        justice those responsible for the murders of James Foley and 
        Steven Sotloff;
            (5) demands the immediate and unconditional release of all 
        hostages being held by ISIL; and
            (6) calls on the United States and the international 
        community, working in partnership with the governments and 
        citizens of the Middle East, to address the threat posed by 
        ISIL.

SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as a declaration of 
war or authorization to use force.
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