[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 524 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 524

   Condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Paris, 
France, on November 13, 2015, that resulted in the loss of at least 129 
                                 lives.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 16, 2015

     Mr. Royce (for himself and Mr. Engel) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Paris, 
France, on November 13, 2015, that resulted in the loss of at least 129 
                                 lives.

Whereas on Friday, November 13, 2015, three groups of Islamist terrorists 
        launched coordinated attacks against six sites across Paris, France, 
        resulting in the loss of at least 129 innocent lives and the severe 
        wounding of many hundreds;
Whereas the attacks on the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France, Le Petit 
        Cambodge restaurant, Le Belle Equipe bar, and on the Avenue de la 
        Republique in the 10th district, represent the largest terrorist attack 
        in Europe since the Madrid, Spain, train bombings of 2004;
Whereas American student Nohemi Gonzalez, 23, of Long Beach, California, is 
        among the innocent lives lost in these terrorist attacks, with several 
        Americans injured;
Whereas French first responders and law enforcement reacted swiftly and 
        heroically, in one instance blocking entrance of a suicide bomber to the 
        Stade de France, doubtlessly saving dozens of lives;
Whereas seven terrorists were killed, most in suicide bombings and one in a 
        shoot-out with police, and French intelligence and law enforcement are 
        still pursuing those possibly connected to the attacks;
Whereas French President Francois Hollande vowed that ``we will fight, and we 
        will be ruthless'';
Whereas NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the Alliance would 
        stand with France and remain ``strong and united'' against terrorism;
Whereas President Barack Obama stated, ``Once again we've seen an outrageous 
        attempt to terrorize innocent civilians. This attack is not just on 
        Paris . . . this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal 
        values that we share. We stand prepared and ready to provide whatever 
        assistance that the Government and the people of France need to 
        respond.'';
Whereas the so-called ``Islamic State of Iraq and Syria'' (ISIS) claimed 
        responsibility for the attack;
Whereas the precise coordination of these attacks at multiple sites across 
        Paris, along with the recent downing of a Russian airline in Egypt and 
        the double suicide bombing in a shopping district in Beirut--brutal 
        attacks also claimed by ISIS--indicates the planning, operational, and 
        logistical capabilities of ISIS appear to have advanced significantly, 
        and their focus now includes large scale external attacks;
Whereas the continued and enhanced coordination of law enforcement and 
        intelligence efforts amongst European countries is critical to 
        inhibiting the movement and support for ISIS-affiliated terrorist cells;
Whereas continued and enhanced intelligence cooperation, law enforcement 
        engagement, and information sharing on emerging threats and identified 
        Islamist extremists greatly improves security for the people of the 
        United States, Europe, and our allies around the world;
Whereas the loss of innocent lives in Paris strengthens our resolve to defeat 
        ISIS and its terrorist affiliates which pose a growing threat to 
        international peace and stability;
Whereas France is an indispensable ally in our joint coalition efforts to defeat 
        ISIS;
Whereas France has long been an ally and friend to the United States since the 
        birth of our Nation, throughout the major conflicts of the 20th century, 
        and has provided significant assistance to key United States strategic 
        priorities such as combating terrorism in northern Africa; and
Whereas we stand in solidarity with our French allies in their time of national 
        mourning, ready to provide assistance in bringing to justice all those 
        involved with the planning and execution of these attacks, as well as 
        identifying and thwarting any planning to undertake similar assaults in 
        the future: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks 
        in Paris, France, on November 13, 2015, that resulted in the 
        loss of at least 129 lives;
            (2) expresses its condolences to the families and friends 
        of those individuals who were killed in the attacks and 
        expresses its sympathies to those individuals who have been 
        injured;
            (3) supports the Government of France in its efforts to 
        bring to justice all those involved with the planning and 
        execution of these terrorist attacks;
            (4) remains concerned regarding the flow of foreign 
        fighters to and from the Middle East and West and North Africa 
        and the threat posed by these individuals upon their return to 
        their local communities; and
            (5) expresses its readiness to assist the Government and 
        people of France to respond to the growing terrorist threat 
        posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and its 
        terrorist affiliates.
                                 <all>