[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 51 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S3731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          VIOLENCE IN LEBANON

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to express my deep concern 
regarding the most recent violence in Lebanon. I have immediately 
contacted the Clinton administration and urged them in the strongest 
possible terms to do everything in the power of the United States to 
cease the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Many 
innocent civilian men, women, and children have been killed and there 
have been thousands of refugees who have been forced to flee their 
homes.
  The Arab-American community, many who have family and friends in 
Lebanon, have communicated to me first-hand accounts of the recent 
violence and tragedy. The most disturbing fact is the great loss of 
civilian lives, especially the children. These deaths, no matter where 
they occur, are always tragic.
  To help us immediately address the plight of these innocent victims, 
I have requested emergency assistance for the Lebanese civilians and 
refugees from the Department of State, the Agency for International 
Development, and the Department of Defense. The Lebanese are in need of 
food, medicine, water, emergency electric generators, beds, and other 
necessities. Mr. President, I am hopeful that my colleagues will 
support this request for aid and I am hopeful that this administration 
will use all of American's influence to cease the fighting in Lebanon 
immediately.

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