[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 1, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H1773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PRAYERS FOR MARTIN AND GRACIA BURNHAM

  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 340th day that Martin and 
Gracia Burnham have been held captive by Muslim terrorists in the 
Philippines.
  Today is May Day, traditionally a festive day to celebrate spring 
time. This May Day will not be festive for Martin and Gracia. It will 
be a day of terror, as each of the past 339 days has been. 
Unfortunately, it will not be a joyous day for their children either, 
Jeff, Mindy, and Zach. It will another day these children are without 
their beloved parents.
  America has the personnel, the necessary tools, the training, and the 
ability to rescue Martin and Gracia Burnham from the Islamic terrorists 
that hold them hostage. All we lack is the political will to do it.
  I ask my colleagues: What would you want if you were held captive 
today by terrorists? I can answer that for you. You would want your 
government to do everything it possibly could as quickly as it could to 
get you free. That is exactly what we should encourage our 
administration to do.
  As always, I ask you to join me in prayer for Martin and Gracia and 
for their loved ones that this nightmare may soon be over.

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