[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1599-E1600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          PAN AM FLIGHT 103: WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE VICTIMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JON D. FOX

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. FOX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on one of the most important 
and dangerous challenges America faces as we approach the 21st century: 
terrorism. Throughout many parts of the world Americans continue to be 
at risk of a terrorist attack. Sadly, the 1990's brought reality to 
bear hard down upon us with attacks on our own soil. The bombing of the 
Federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995 and the World Trade Center in 
New York City in 1993 are but two terrorists attacks that come to mind.
  Last year, the 104th Congress took great strides to combat 
international terrorism, most notably with our passage of the 
Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 and the enactment 
of additional sanctions against terrorist states such as Libya and 
Iran. But it is not enough. The war still continues and American 
citizens remain at risk. While we must continue to address ways in 
which to adopt preventative measures, we must not forget or abandon the 
victims themselves or the surviving families of those who have already 
suffered and who may still continue to suffer.
  Almost 9 years ago Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed over the quiet 
countryside of

[[Page E1600]]

Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 innocent people, including 189 
Americans, some of whom were from my own State of Pennsylvania. This 
was not a tragic accident, but a deliberate act of cold-hearted murder. 
Two suspected Libyan intelligence agents were charged in 1991 by the 
United States and United Kingdom as having perpetrated this cowardly 
deed. Yet for more than 5 years they have remained safely protected by 
the Libyan Government. Despite the imposition of both U.S. and U.N. 
sanctions, this impasse has no end in sight.
  That is one reason why the victims of the Pan Am 103 bombing are 
seeking accountability and compensation from the Government of Libya 
through civil actions here in United States courts. Unbelievably, 
before we passed legislation in April 1996, the immediate families of 
the victims were unable to sue in the United States because of Libya's 
sovereign immunity. Fortunately, we saw fit to change that cruel 
anomaly. However, Congress did not go far enough to recognize that 
there are other victims of terrorism besides those who tragically 
suffered personal injuries or death. In the case of Pan Am 103, 
thousands of innocent Americans lost their entire livelihood, pensions, 
benefits, and futures due to the subsequent bankruptcy of Pan American 
World Airways, an event directly related to the bombing. Yet these 
victims are not permitted their day in court by laws that only serve to 
protect the terrorist states.
  There is no conceivable reason why a state that descends to the level 
of committing inhumane acts, such as the bombing of a civilian 
aircraft, should not be held totally and fully accountable for these 
intentional atrocities. No one can place a price on the loss of a loved 
one. But a family's loss of a loved one does not extinguish or diminish 
the loss another family might have suffered or suffers because of a 
loss of their livelihood.
  That is why I am planning to introduce a bill that will allow any 
American financially harmed by an act of terrorism sponsored by one of 
the rogue states on the State Department's terrorism watch list to have 
their day in court and the opportunity to prove their losses. An 
American harmed by an intentional act as egregious as terrorism should 
be provided the opportunity to seek justice and compensation. This bill 
will send a message to those states who believe they can simply walk 
away from harming Americans. There is no legitimate reason that excuses 
our failure to act on this amendment and provide whatever possible 
legal protection we can. It is not only our political obligation as 
representatives of the U.S. Government, but it is our moral obligation 
to the American people we represent.
  This proposed measure already has significant bipartisan support. 
Earlier today we sent to all Members of this House our request to join 
in this fight against terrorists. I hope that many more of my 
colleagues will see fit to join in our fight. No American victim of 
terrorism should ever be left alone to suffer as they do now. We can 
not, should not and will not stand for that.

                          ____________________