[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 96 (Friday, July 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LAZIO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2000

  Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker, six years ago, a building and a community's 
heart were both ripped apart by the blast of the same terrorist bomb. 
The building was the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, 
Argentina. The 86 deaths, the scores of wounded, and the destruction of 
the center of Jewish culture in the Argentinean capital, were a 
terrible tragedy.
  Yet, this act of terrorist violence did more. The bomb went on to 
strip the Jews of that country of their equilibrium, their confidence, 
and their sense of self. For years, the investigation of this crime 
dragged on with no apparent outcome. For years the Argentine 
authorities have dragged their feet and have exhibited incompetence in 
following up obvious leads that linked the Lebanese Hezbollah 
organization with homegrown Argentinean terrorists.
  Yet, there is some good news to report. Years of constant pressure by 
Jewish organizations, Members of Congress, and other prominent leaders 
have finally forced the Argentine government to move. President 
Fernando de la Rua has committed its government to pursue vigorously 
the investigation of this terrorist outrage, regardless of where the 
inquiry might lead.
  From this time and place, we should make our intentions crystal 
clear. We shall not waver in our determination to see the responsible 
parties for this terrorist outrage brought to real and meaningful 
justice.
  We shall not shrink from the task of working to ensure that everyone 
implicated in this crime--Hezbollah terrorists, members of the 
Argentine security forces, or any others--will pay the price for their 
dastardly deed.
  We shall not wither away. We shall not tire of the cause. We will 
persevere because it is the right thing to do. We will see justice 
done!

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