[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 18, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10741-S10742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MEMORIALIZING THE SAILORS OF THE NAVY LOST IN THE ATTACK ON THE U.S.S. 
                               ``COLE ''

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 379, submitted 
earlier by Senator Snowe.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 379) memorializing the sailors of the 
     Navy lost in the attack on the U.S.S. Cole (DDG-67) in the 
     port of Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 2000; extending 
     condolences to their families and other loved ones; extending 
     sympathy to the members of the crew of that vessel who were 
     injured in the attack; and commending the entire crew for its 
     performance and professionalism in saving the U.S.S. Cole.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to express how deeply saddened 
and angered I am by the apparent terrorist attack on the U.S.S. Cole on 
October 12th. Earlier today, along with many of my distinguished 
colleagues, I attended a memorial service in Norfolk, Virginia, the 
homeport of Cole. It was an emotional event. The nation lost 17 of its 
sons and daughters in the prime of their lives.
  And we ask why? Why did this happen? I am hopeful that the details of 
the facts of this despicable act will be determined by the vigorous 
ongoing investigation. But I will tell my colleagues why--it is because 
we have national interests throughout the world and we have established 
a world wide military presence to protect these interests. We rely on 
these courageous young men and women who have volunteered to serve in 
our military to make the sacrifices necessary to protect these national 
interests. Mr. President, these young men and women of the U.S.S. Cole 
who were lost have made the ultimate sacrifice.
  As the chair of the Seapower Subcommittee, I submitted a Senate 
resolution to memorialize those Sailors who were lost and to extend our 
heartfelt condolences to their families, shipmates, and other loved 
ones, to express our concern for the Sailors injured in the attack and 
wish them a speedy and full recovery, and to commend the entire crew 
for the performance and professionalism in saving their shipmates and 
their ship. You all remain in our prayers.
  With this apparent terrorist attack, once again, we were brutally 
reminded of the dangers and risks that our young men and women who 
serve in uniform face each hour of the day as they safeguard our 
nation's security interests around the world. In difficult times, one's 
true colors are revealed--and so I applaud the valiant and courageous 
actions of the entire crew of the U.S.S. Cole as they fought to save 
their shipmates and their ship from this despicable act.
  The courageous crew of the Cole embodies the motto of their ship as 
``Determined Warriors.'' As we watched those first pictures unfold 
before our eyes I was struck by their professionalism, skill, and pride 
in fulfilling their duties. In that photo which shows a close up of the 
gaping hole at the waterline, I notice Sailors working on the deck just 
above, at once no doubt shocked and saddened by the loss of their 
shipmates, yet doing their jobs running pumps, securing lines, and 
carrying out the myriad other duties in this emergency with courage and 
determination.
  Although I will reserve my judgement on the specific cause of this 
tragedy until the formal investigation has concluded and those 
responsible have been identified, there should be no mistake: those who 
want to disrupt peace and deter our nation from our global 
responsibilities must know that we will leave no stone unturned in our 
search to determine who is culpable. They must and will be held 
accountable. And I feel strongly that the US should keep all options 
open in determining the appropriate actions for holding those 
responsible accountable for this cowardly action.
  The courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity shown by the 
gallant crew of the U.S.S. Cole is a national characteristic of 
Americans and when we are attacked under such circumstances, we all 
become ``determined warriors.''
  The men and women of our armed forces are today's patriots who remain 
ever vigilant against those who seek to undermine peace and stability 
in the uncertain world in which we live. I have said before and I 
continue to believe that one of the United States' greatest blessings 
is that so many of her young men and women elect to stand vigil knowing 
full well the sacrifices they may be called upon to make. Certainly, 
America is stronger for their sacrifice and remains forever indebted.
  Mr. President, again it is with the deepest sorrow that I rise today 
to

[[Page S10742]]

mourn the loss of our brave Sailors--my heart goes out to their 
families as well as those who have suffered injuries and their loved 
ones. May God grant them comfort and solace in the days ahead. It is my 
hope that, with this enrolled resolution, they will know that the 
entire nation grieves with them.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to 
the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 379) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 379

       Whereas the Arleigh Burke class destroyer U.S.S. Cole (DDG-
     67) was attacked in the port of Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 
     2000, apparently by terrorists who, by insidious ruse, drew 
     along side the vessel in a small boat containing powerful 
     explosives that detonated next to the hull of the vessel;
       Whereas the horrific explosion in that attack resulted in 
     the loss of 17 sailors and injury to another 39 sailors, all 
     of them being members of the Navy serving in the crew of the 
     U.S.S. Cole;
       Whereas those sailors who lost their lives made the 
     ultimate sacrifice in the service of the United States and 
     the Navy;
       Whereas all of the remaining members of the crew of the 
     U.S.S. Cole responded valiantly and courageously to save 
     their ship from sinking from the explosion and, in so doing, 
     proved themselves to be ``Determined Warriors'', the motto of 
     their ship; and
       Whereas the men and women of the crew of the U.S.S. Cole, 
     like all of the men and women of the Armed Forces, are the 
     current patriots who stand ever vigilant against the attacks 
     of those who seek to undermine peace and stability in an 
     uncertain world: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That (a) the Senate memorializes those sailors of 
     the Navy who were lost in the despicable attack on the U.S.S. 
     Cole (DDG-67) on October 12, 2000, in the port of Aden, 
     Yemen, as follows:
       (1) Richard Costelow, Electronics Technician First Class, 
     of Morrisville, Pennsylvania.
       (2) Cherone Louis Gunn, Signalman Seaman Recruit, of Rex, 
     Georgia.
       (3) James Rodrick McDaniels, Seaman, of Norfolk, Virginia.
       (4) Craig Bryan Wibberley, Seaman Apprentice, of 
     Williamsport, Maryland.
       (5) Timothy Lamont Saunders, Operations Specialist Second 
     Class, of Ringold, Virginia.
       (6) Lakiba Nicole Palmer, Seaman Recruit, of San Diego, 
     California.
       (7) Andrew Triplett, Ensign, of Macon, Mississippi.
       (8) Lakeina Monique Francis, Mess Management Specialist, of 
     Woodleaf, North Carolina.
       (9) Timothy Lee Gauna, Information Systems Technician 
     Seaman, of Rice, Texas.
       (10) Ronald Scott Owens, Electronics Warfare Technician 
     Third Class, of Vero Beach, Florida.
       (11) Patrick Howard Roy, Fireman Apprentice, of Cornwall on 
     the Hudson, New York.
       (12) Kevin Shawn Rux, Electronics Warfare Technician Second 
     Class, of Portland, North Dakota.
       (13) Ronchester Manangan Santiago, Mess Management 
     Specialist Third Class, of Kingsville, Texas.
       (14) Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr., Fireman, of Rockport, 
     Texas.
       (15) Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, Hull Maintenance Technician 
     Third Class, of Mechanicsville, Virginia.
       (16) Mark Ian Neito, Engineman Second Class, of Fond du 
     Lac, Wisconsin.
       (17) Joshua Langdon Parlett, Engineman Fireman, of 
     Churchville, Maryland.
       (b) The Senate extends condolences to the members of the 
     families, other loved ones, and shipmates of those devoted 
     sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the 
     United States.
       (c) It is the sense of the Senate that all of the people of 
     the United States join the Chief of Naval Operations and the 
     other members of the Navy in mourning the grievous loss of 
     life among the members of the crew of the U.S.S. Cole 
     resulting from the attack on that vessel.
       Sec. 2. The Senate--
       (1) recognizes the loss, sacrifice, valor, and 
     determination of the surviving members of the crew of the 
     U.S.S. Cole;
       (2) extends sympathy to the 39 sailors of that crew who 
     were injured in the attack on their vessel; and
       (3) commends the members of the crew for their remarkable 
     performance, professionalism, skill, and success in 
     fulfilling their duties to support and save the U.S.S. Cole 
     following the attack.
       Sec. 3. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to the Chief of Naval 
     Operations, the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Cole, and 
     the family of each member of the United States Navy who was 
     lost in the attack on the U.S.S. Cole (DDG-67) in the port of 
     Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 2000.

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, the Senator from Maine, Ms. Snowe, 
chairs the Seapower Subcommittee in the Armed Services Committee, of 
which I am honored to be a member. I likewise appreciate very much her 
interest in expressing our sympathy to the families of those sailors 
who were lost.

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