[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H2127-H2129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING REGRET AND SYMPATHY FOR FAMILIES OF CANADIAN SOLDIERS WHO 
                LOST THEIR LIVES IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN

  Mr. HOUGHTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 412) expressing regret and sympathy for the 
families of the 4 Canadian soldiers who lost their lives on April 17, 
2002, in a friendly-fire incident in southern Afghanistan.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 412

       Whereas since the terrorist attacks on the United States on 
     September 11, 2001, the Government and people of Canada have 
     offered their steadfast support to the United States in the 
     international war against terrorism;
       Whereas this support is in defense of the values that 
     define and unite the United States and Canada;
       Whereas the Government of Canada has also provided 
     significant military support to the international war against 
     terrorism, first deploying troops to Afghanistan in October 
     2001;
       Whereas on January 7, 2002, the Government of Canada 
     announced it would be sending an additional 750 troops to 
     Afghanistan from the 3rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's 
     Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group to support the coalition 
     against terrorism;
       Whereas on April 17, 2002, 4 Canadian soldiers from that 
     battalion were killed and 8 others were wounded in a 
     friendly-fire incident in southern Afghanistan;
       Whereas the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives were 
     Sergeant Marc D. Leger of Lancaster, Ontario, Corporal 
     Ainsworth Dyer of Montreal, Quebec, Private Richard A. Green 
     of Edmonton, Alberta, and Private Nathan Smith of 
     Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia;
       Whereas the people of the United States value the 
     friendship and goodwill of the people of Canada; and
       Whereas President Bush has offered his sorrow and sympathy 
     to the Government and people of Canada for this tragedy: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) praises the performance and heroism of Canadian 
     soldiers;
       (2) extends its regret and sympathy to the families of the 
     4 Canadian soldiers who lost their lives and others who 
     suffered injury on April 17, 2002, in a friendly-fire 
     incident in southern Afghanistan, and to the Government and 
     people of Canada for their loss; and
       (3) reaffirms the Nation's appreciation for Canada's strong 
     support and commitment to the war against terrorism.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Houghton) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton).


                             General Leave

  Mr. HOUGHTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
on House Resolution 412.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I would like to talk a little bit informally, Madam Speaker, about 
the situation which has affected us all, and I know that the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Lantos) will be doing the same thing, and I am 
delighted to be associated with my friend, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos).
  As we all know, on April 17, four Canadian soldiers were killed and 
eight Canadian soldiers were wounded by an American bomb that was 
mistakenly dropped on a Canadian training exercise near Kandahar in 
Afghanistan. I would like to read the names of the Canadian soldiers 
who are from the Third Battalion, the Princess Pat's Canadian Light 
Infantry Battle Group.
  Before I read those names, I would like to just say that I grew up on 
stories of the Princess Pat's Regiment. It was a famous regiment. A 
great older friend of mine was in it in World War I and described some 
of the great battles that went on. So it is a very, very distinguished 
group.
  The names of the soldiers are Sergeant Marc D. Leger of Lancaster 
Ontario; Corporal Ainsworth Dyer of Montreal, Quebec; Private Richard 
A. Green of Edmonton, Alberta; and Private Nathan Smith of 
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia.
  Now, as many of us know, these soldiers had been in Afghanistan since

[[Page H2128]]

late January as part of Operation Apollo, which was Canada's military 
complement to the campaign against terrorism. The casualties were 
especially difficult for the Canadian people as well as ourselves not 
only because of the circumstances surrounding the incident but because 
these are the first Canadian soldiers killed since the Korean War.
  President Bush expressed his deepest sorrow and sympathy to the 
families and to the people of Canada both in a letter to Prime Minister 
Chretien and several times in public, and the Senate has also passed a 
similar resolution.
  There is an investigation underway to determine the exact 
circumstances of the incident in Afghanistan. This, sadly, will not 
bring the soldiers back, but it is something we want to know. And we 
are doing this really to let Canada understand that we are deeply sorry 
for their loss and we do not want anything to get in the way of our 
historical friendship and alliance.
  It is awfully difficult, because many times in pursuing a war or 
pursuing some sort of activity for the national good, you hurt your 
friends, you hurt yourself. And how do you say you are sorry? This is 
one of the ways of trying to express our sorrow and our association 
with people.
  Canada has always been there for us in times of trouble. For example, 
after September 11, I remember going down to New York City when Senator 
Jerry Grafstein organized 25,000 Canadians in New York to express their 
solidarity with the United States. It was a wonderful, moving time. The 
fire department and the police department of New York and Toronto, 
Mayor Guiliani, Prime Minister Chretien were there, and it was the type 
of thing that you would like to see of a friend. So this incident with 
the four Canadian soldiers makes it even more difficult for us.
  I always remember during those difficult days with the Iran hostages, 
the Canadians were always there with us; made heroic feats in trying to 
save some of the American citizens.
  In a week, some of us are going to go to Rhode Island and meet with 
the Canadians on our usual American-Canadian session where we exchange 
ideas and issues and problems and opportunities, and we will have a 
chance personally to be able to express, as some of us have already 
done on the phone, to our Canadian friends. But it just seemed to some 
of us that it was important that here in the well of the House, 
officially, to tell our Canadian friends how terribly, terribly sorry 
we are.
  What are we all striving for? What are we doing? What is our search 
for fairness and for decency and for peace? We are all trying to make a 
difference. Those people who died made the supreme difference, and we 
are just honored to know that they are citizens and their families are 
citizens of this great North American Continent, and we would like to 
express our condolences and our feelings to those families.
  Madam Speaker, I would now like to add my voice to the many others 
who have also expressed their sentiments.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in strong support of H. Res. 412.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to commend first the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for expediting consideration of this important 
measure, and I want to applaud the efforts of my dear friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton), who for many 
years has worked tirelessly to build and maintain the strong bonds that 
unite the United States and Canada.
  Madam Speaker, in World War II, Canadian troops fought side by side 
with American soldiers to defeat fascism in Nazi Germany. During the 
Korean War, Canadian volunteers joined United Nations forces to help 
protect South Korea from communism. Last year, Canada once again sent 
its finest sons and daughters into harm's way, this time to combat 
international terrorism in Afghanistan.
  Since the beginning of the year, approximately 800 Canadian troops 
have helped secure Kandahar and protected relief operations in that 
entire area. Unfortunately, as we all know, a terrible accident 
occurred recently. In the early morning of April 17, an American F-16 
pilot accidentally dropped a laser-guided bomb on Canadian troops who 
were conducting combat exercises in a designated training area near 
their base south of Kandahar.
  Sergeant Marc Legere, Corporal Ainsworth Dyer, Private Richard Green 
and Private Nathan Smith perished in that accident. Eight other brave 
Canadian soldiers were wounded in the explosion.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of all of us on this side, I wish to extend 
our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of these 
wonderful Canadian soldiers. We also want to express our deepest 
sympathies to a grieving nation.
  Although we will have to await the findings of the ongoing 
investigations to learn how this terrible tragedy occurred and what can 
be done to prevent its recurrence, several points are already clear. 
The United States and Canada and our respective peoples continue to 
enjoy what is one of the most powerful, unwavering friendships that 
spans generations and can withstand even the most challenging 
tribulations.
  As a result, our two great nations stand together in their eternal 
commitment to defend freedom, democracy, the right of civilized 
societies to live in peace and security; a right that in the 21st 
century is being threatened by global terrorism. In the fight against 
global terrorism, Canada, as always, is shouldering a heavy burden and 
making major sacrifices. We all appreciate this enormous contribution 
and we will never forget it.
  Madam Speaker, with Canada's continued help, and the assistance of 
our other friends and allies, I am fully confident that we will 
vanquish the scourge of terrorism forever. I invite all of my 
colleagues to join me in a salute to the 12 heroes of Canada by voting 
in favor of this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce), my good friend, 
the ranking Democratic member on the Committee on Financial Services.
  (Mr. LaFALCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LaFALCE. Madam Speaker, I have the great honor of representing 
Niagara Falls, New York, and about 60 seconds across the Rainbow 
Bridge, the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and the Whirlpool Bridge stands 
Niagara Falls, Ontario and Queenston, Ontario. I have the great honor 
of representing the City of Buffalo, and across the Peace Bridge stands 
Fort Erie, Ontario.
  Between the Americans that abut the Canadian border and the Canadians 
that abut the American border, there is a common and virtually 
universal feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood.

                              {time}  1545

  We feel as if the Canadians are our brothers and sisters, and I think 
most Canadians feel as if we are their brothers and sisters. This has 
been shown countless ways and countless times throughout our history; 
but I do not think that it was ever shown more than on September 11, 
because when we wept in Buffalo and Niagra Falls, they wept just as 
much in Fort Erie and Niagara Falls, Canada, because when we were 
attacked, they felt they were attacked. When our brothers and sisters 
were killed, they believed that their brothers and sisters were killed.
  Madam Speaker, they acted as brothers and sisters did. They took our 
planes and took our people, and they enlisted in the fight and combat 
against terrorism wherever and whenever they could, in greater 
percentage numbers than we have participated, in all candor, including 
in the fields of Afghanistan.
  I guess the only thing that is worse than seeing a brother or sister 
killed is when we, by inadvertence, are responsible for it. No words 
could express our sorrow, but we must make that effort. On behalf of 
all of the people of my district, and through this resolution on behalf 
of every single American, we say to every single Canadian, we are so, 
so sorry.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my humblest 
condolences to our Canadian neighbors on the deaths of four Canadian 
soldiers who died on April 17, 2002.
  The people of Canada and their Government have offered their stalwart 
support to our country in the international war against terrorism. We 
are indebted to the Canadian people and wish to express our deepest 
gratitude for their efforts.

[[Page H2129]]

  On April 17, four Canadian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of the 
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group were killed 
and eight others were wounded in a ``friendly-fire'' incident in 
southern Afghanistan when they were mistakenly fired upon by American 
troops. These Canadian soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in defense 
of liberty and democracy.
  Americans are deeply grateful for Canada's staunch support and firm 
commitment to the war against terrorism. The friendship of the Canadian 
people has helped America through her own dark hours. I hope that our 
friendship and support will help the people of Canada through this 
dreadful event.
  We should do all we can to improve the safety of coalition troops in 
Afghanistan. I strongly favor the conduct of a thorough and timely 
investigation to determine how this terrible accident occurred in 
Afghanistan. Casualties due to friendly fire have been called the 
``unfortunate part of war.'' We should do whatever it takes to prevent 
these tragedies and to eliminate this most unfortunate part of war. 
Even though war is always unpredictable, Canadians and Americans want 
to know what the exact circumstances were that led to the deaths of 
these capable and brave soldiers, so other incidents like this one can 
be averted in the future.
  I extend my condolences to the victims' families in Canada, and I 
express my support to Canadians in this difficult time. I offer my 
sorrow and sympathy to the Government and people of Canada for this 
shocking tragedy and truly regret the events that led to the deaths of 
these fine men.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, this Member rises to express his support 
for H. Res. 412, a bill expressing the House's regret and sympathy to 
the families of the four Canadian soldiers who lost their lives and the 
eight Canadian soldiers who were wounded on April 17, 2002, in a 
``friendly-fire'' mistake in southern Afghanistan. Additionally, this 
Member would like to express his appreciation for the efforts of the 
very distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) in drafting 
this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, Canada is a steadfast ally and true friend of the 
United States. In October 2001, less than one month after the horrific 
and unspeakable terrorist attacks of September 11th, Ottawa, Canada, 
served as the host city for the fall meetings of the North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA). As leader of the 
House Delegation to the NATO PA, this Member was very grateful for the 
unwavering support offered by the Canadian parliamentarians to the U.S. 
for the war on terrorism. Despite their recognition of the dangers 
involved in sending their armed forces to assist with the war, the 
Canadians were the strongest supporters of the assembly's endorsement 
of the use of force against the terrorists and were willing to 
contribute troops for missions in Afghanistan.
  Indeed, the loss of four Canadian soldiers who were killed by a bomb 
from an American F-16 aircraft in a friendly-fire mistake is a tragic 
loss which the U.S. and Canada, as steadfast neighbors and true allies, 
mourn together. Last week, this Member and many of his colleagues were 
able to express their personal condolences to the Honorable Peter 
Milliken, the Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada. It is fitting 
that this body, through this resolution, expresses its condolences to 
the families of the Canadian families who lost their loved ones in the 
tragic incident.
  Madam Speaker, this Member encourages his colleagues to vote for H. 
Res. 412.
  Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 412 of 
offer my deepest condolences to all Canadians, especially the families 
and friends of Sergeant Marc D. Leger, Corporal Ainsworth Dyer, Private 
Richard A. Green, and Private Nathan Smith, who gave their lives in the 
service of defending freedom and security in Operation Enduring Freedom 
on April 17, 2002, in Afghanistan.
  Eight other servicemen were also wounded in this incident. This 
tragic accident reminds us that our coalition partners remain willing 
to send their men and women in uniform in harm's way so that our 
freedoms may prevail. These Canadians have made the ultimate sacrifice 
on behalf of all peace-loving people, and my prayers are with their 
families and loved ones during this difficult time.
  After America was so brutally attacked, I addressed the House of 
Representatives during consideration of H.J. Res. 61, which expressed 
the sense of the House of Representatives and Senate regarding the 
assault. I quoted Winston Churchill, whose words are just as salient 
today as they were then. He wrote, ``Civilization will not last, 
freedom will not survive, peace will not be kept, unless a very large 
majority of mankind unite together to defend them.''
  Canada has always been our country's closest ally and friend. Since 
the terrorist attacks on September 11th, she has offered her steadfast 
loyalty and support in defense of the values that define and unite us. 
Canada's leadership during this trying time is invaluable to the 
American people. We will continue our common defense in unity to defeat 
the enemy who wishes to destroy freedom.
  May God bless Canada and her fallen soldiers who served her with such 
courage and dignity. We indeed are a safer Nation because of these 
soldiers and those who continue to serve in our Nations' Armed Forces.
  I want to commend my colleague from New York, Mr. Houghton, for this 
important expression of sympathy. I urge my colleagues to support this 
passage. Canada shall remain our closest ally and friend.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 412.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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