[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E509]]



           JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 3, 2001

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
better coordinate the Federal Government's response to terrorism. Each 
year, hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens work and travel overseas, 
including a growing number of U.S. employees who work on behalf of the 
energy industry. Regrettably, as we have seen in recent years, U.S. 
citizens are increasingly at risk by terrorist organizations who hope 
to exact revenge for U.S. policies, or in the name of greed. Because of 
a confusing maze of differing of diplomatic and law enforcement 
concerns, the U.S. victims of such acts are often unable to attain 
justice, even when the whereabouts of the perpetrators are known by 
federal authorities.
  While the Department of State and the Justice Department can work 
effectively with nations sharing an extradition treaty with the U.S., 
too often the lack of such treaties or diplomatic barriers have allowed 
terrorists to hide from justice behind layers of bureaucracy. Worse 
still, there is little effective coordination between State and Justice 
to provide updated information to victims and their families, and 
neither agency compiles a complete report accounting the federal 
government's efforts to bring terrorists to justice.
  Under this legislation, the Secretary of State would be required to 
designate an existing Assistant Secretary of State to monitor efforts 
to bring justice to U.S. victims of terrorism abroad. I believe this 
provision provides the Department of State with the necessary 
flexibility to designate the tasks required under this bill without 
dictating the creation of a new post, or elevating the Office of 
Counterterrorism with duties most appropriately performed at the level 
of the Assistant Secretary.
  Under this bill, the Assistant Secretary would be required to work 
directly with the Justice Department and other applicable Federal 
agencies to identify and track terrorists living abroad who have killed 
Americans, or engaged in acts of terrorism that have directly affected 
American citizens. In addition, the Assistant Secretary would provide 
an annual report to Congress on the number of Americans kidnapped, 
killed or otherwise directly affected by the actions of international 
terrorists. Also included in the Annual Report to Congress would be a 
thorough detailing of what actions State and Justice are undertaking to 
obtain justice for U.S. victims of international terrorism, and a 
current list of terrorists living abroad.
  One of the most important components of this legislation is the 
direct assistance of State and Justice in defining outdated or 
ineffective laws that prevent the aggressive pursuit of international 
terrorist by the Federal Government. To that end, as part of the Annual 
Report, the Assistant Secretary would work with the Justice Department 
to make specific recommendations to Congress on legal remedies needed 
to bring individual terrorists to justice in the U.S. Should 
enforcement problems exist, the Assistant Secretary would provide 
Congress with proposed changes to U.S. law that would allow Justice and 
State to bring terrorists to justice in the U.S. Further, the Annual 
Report would work with State to detail known international terrorists, 
and make recommendations to Congress on best methods of pressuring host 
governments--such as cutting off of aid, or imposing sanctions. To 
maintain adequate safeguards, the President would be provided with a 
national security interest waiver, which must be accompanied with an 
explanation to Congress when executed.
  As Members of Congress, we have a profound duty to provide an 
effective response when our constituents have been the victims of 
international terrorists while traveling or working abroad. Through 
passage of this legislation, we can take important steps in 
coordinating the Federal Government's response, and ensuring that we 
have the information necessary to address our laws or diplomatic 
policies to provide for the aggressive pursuit of terrorists. We can 
not stand back while our citizens are victimized, or let the lack of 
coordination between agencies dictate a denial of justice.
  I urge my colleagues to better safeguard our citizens by supporting 
this legislation.

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