[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E911-E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORT OF H.R. 3375--EMBASSY EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2002

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
3375, the Embassy Employee Compensation Act. Passage of this bill only 
makes common sense to me. After the tragic events of September 11, 
2002, the United States Government vowed to make

[[Page E912]]

sure that the victim's families affected would be taken care of and 
provided adequate compensation in order to carry on with their lives. I 
firmly supported the govenment's efforts in securing the futures of 
these families, but I have always felt that there were other victims as 
well being overlooked that were affected by cowardly acts of terrorism 
that also deserved some sort of compensation.
  Mr. Speaker, overlooked were the American families who lost loved 
ones in the American Embassy bombings in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es 
Salaam, Tanzania, Africa. On August 7 of 1998, twelve American families 
lost a member or members that were dear to them while they proudly 
served their country abroad. To this date, these families have yet to 
be taken care of. I am sure that many of my colleagues are aware that 
back in July of 1999 I introduced legislation that if passed, would 
have provided $1,500,000 to the survivors of each of the families 
affected. Unfortunately at time of introduction, many Members of the 
House of Representatives felt it was unnecessary. Therefore, my 
legislation never saw the light of day again. It took both the events 
of September 11th and the tireless efforts of a very brave young lady 
named Edith Bartley, who lost not one, but two members of her family in 
the Nairobi bombing to change the sentiments of this Chamber.
  I want to commend Ms. Bartley on her persistence. She worked 
feverishly to see this legislation come to its fruition. She has 
literally worked on this nonstop for years and talked to countless 
Members to gain their support. At times, the prospects of this 
legislation passing this body looked grim. Nonetheless, she kept 
working and eventually the tides began to turn in her favor. The 
passage of this legislation is not only testament to your hard work, 
but a tribute to your father and brother as well. They would be proud.
  Although you cannot place a price on a human life, the day for these 
families to be compensated for their loss has been long in coming and I 
am once again pleased to vote in favor of this legislation today. We 
should not only provide for the victim's families of 9/11, but all the 
families that have lost loved ones at the hands of Al-Qaeda. It's the 
only fair thing to do.

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