[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 31 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2641-S2643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            EXPRESSION OF CONDOLENCES TO THE PEOPLE OF SPAIN

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to a resolution that is at the desk regarding the recent 
bombings in Spain; provided further that following the reporting of the 
resolution there be a brief moment of silence; provided further that 
each leader be recognized for up to 5 minutes each, and that Senators 
Allen and Dodd be permitted to speak for up to 2 minutes each. I 
further ask unanimous consent that the Senate then proceed to a vote on 
the adoption of the resolution with no intervening action or debate; 
further, that following that vote the preamble be agreed to and the 
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 319) expressing the sense of the 
     Senate with respect to the deadly terrorist attacks against 
     the people of Spain that occurred on March 11, 2004.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate will now observe a moment of 
silence.
  (Moment of silence.)
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, through the efforts of our colleagues, 
Senators Allen and Dodd, we have this resolution before the Senate 
expressing our condolences to the people of Spain. We will shortly vote 
on this resolution.
  It is with a heavy heart that I rise. In a phone call earlier today, 
I told the Ambassador of Spain what the Senate will tell the people of 
Spain tonight through this resolution: We are with you; you are not 
alone in your grief.
  This morning in Madrid, Spain, at the height of rush hour, 10 
terrorist bombs ripped through railway trains and stations killing over 
190 people and wounding 1,240 more. Mothers, fathers, students, 
children, were struck down as they went about their normal daily life--
a tragedy we in the United States known only too well.
  Spain did not learn about the need to defend democracy or how to 
fight terrorism on September 11, 2001. Sadly, this lesson was thrust 
upon the Spanish people long ago. Their response to our darkest moment 
will long be remembered in America. As the people of Spain mourn their 
victims tonight, we mourn with them.
  We do not yet know the identity of the culprits. Officials are 
pursuing every lead. But whoever committed this atrocity will be found 
and they will be punished. I say to the people of Spain: America is 
with you. We stand in front of you, in back of you, to your left, and 
to your right. We grieve with the families who bear so much sorrow and 
we grieve for their loved ones whose lives have been so unjustly cut 
short. We will not forget this day. We will fight until the last 
cowardly murderer is brought to justice.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I join in thanking Senators Allen and 
Dodd for their work on this resolution. I join the majority leader in 
expressing strong support for the efforts in the Senate this afternoon. 
It is entirely fitting and appropriate that we observe the moment of 
silence for the victims of this heinous attack on the citizens of Spain 
this morning. Our prayers are with the Spanish people as they search 
for survivors, care for their injured, and mourn their losses.
  Just last month, we heard a moving speech in the House Chamber from 
President Aznar. He made clear to us America does not stand alone in 
the war on terror. He made clear that the terrorists who attacked us on 
September 11 would fail, and he made clear that we would succeed 
together.
  The resolution says to President Aznar and his people that the 
American people will give the Spanish people everything they have given 
us: Our unshakable commitment that we will link arms to care for the 
victims and their families, our solemn word that we will not flinch in 
the face of these cowardly attacks, our enduring pledge that we will 
join forces to bring the perpetrators to justice. That is because this 
was not an attack on Spain alone but on all of us.
  I have already heard from Americans who are desperately trying to 
reach

[[Page S2642]]

family members who are in Madrid this evening, terrorized to think 
their loved ones were victimized in the attack. Families from all over 
the world are experiencing the same fears. The object of terrorism is 
to bring fear to the hearts of free people, to divide friend from 
friend and ally from ally. But America will never abandon its Spanish 
allies. We will not tire in the fight against tyranny.
  Today we renew our resolve to defeat terrorism around the world. We 
will bring these murderers to justice and make clear to all terrorists 
that they will never, never prevail.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.
  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I thank our leader, Senator Frist, the 
Democratic leader, Senator Daschle, and also my colleague from 
Connecticut, Senator Dodd, all of whom worked together on this 
resolution.
  As chairman of the Subcommittee on European Affairs of the Foreign 
Relations Committee, I share the resolve of my colleagues.
  The American people have experienced our September 11. For the people 
of Spain, March 11 is a day they will not forget. We, the Senate, 
express our outrage and shock and that of our fellow American people 
over these terrorist attacks that occurred today. The Senate of the 
United States joins with President Bush in expressing our deepest 
condolences and in saying that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with 
our friends, the people of Spain, in this war on terrorism.
  The Senate also, in unity, expresses our solidarity with the people 
of Spain in these very difficult hours. We especially send our sincere 
condolences to the families whose have lost loved ones and the well 
over 1,000 who have been severely injured by these despicable terrorist 
acts.
  We call on other nations to join with us once again in condemning 
such monstrous acts and attacks on the innocent people wherever they 
may be, whether they are in the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, or in 
transportation facilities in Madrid, Spain. We need to help identify 
the perpetrators of these attacks and bring them to swift justice. We 
express, as Senators, our readiness to consult with the King of Spain, 
the President of the Spanish Government, Jose Maria Aznar, the Spanish 
Cortes, and other public authorities about our joint efforts to combat 
terrorism.
  President Aznar said ``We shall not forget.'' We in the United State 
say to President Aznar and the people of Spain: Siempre recordaremos. 
We will not forget either. We will always remember.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, even though the Senate is extremely busy 
with respect to consideration of the Senate budget resolution, the 
recent tragedy in Spain makes it terribly important that the Senate 
pause from its regular business this afternoon to speak with one voice 
about our profound outrage and sorrow with respect to what transpired 
just a few short hours ago in Madrid. The resolution which has been 
introduced by Senators Frist, Daschle, myself, and others is an 
opportunity for the Senate to send its condolences to the people of 
Spain.
  I would also like to bring to the attention of my colleagues that a 
book of condolences will be open at the Embassy of Spain tomorrow, 
March 12, and Monday, March 15. In addition, a funeral service for the 
victims of this heinous attack will be held at St. Matthews Cathedral 
on Monday, March 15, at 5:30 p.m.
  Mr. President, I know I join all my colleagues when I express how 
deeply disturbed I am by today's bombings in the Spanish capital of 
Madrid, and I strongly condemn those responsible for what is a heinous 
crime against human life. These horrific attacks--the deadliest in 
Spain's history--have now left over 180 innocent people dead and more 
than 900 wounded. Such carnage is almost unimaginable, and I know that 
I join with all Americans in expressing my outrage over these acts of 
violence.
  I also join with my fellow Americans in expressing my solidarity with 
the Spanish people and the families of the innocent victims. This is a 
time of great distress and pain for them--it is a memory that will long 
endure in their hearts and minds. And I know that in the difficult days 
ahead, America and the Congress will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with 
Spain, just as Spain supported America through some of our darkest 
hours after September 11, 2001.
  In so many ways, Spain's friendship has been invaluable to the United 
States. Spain has been a critical partner in the fight against 
terrorism, a true ally during the war in Iraq, and an important 
economic partner in the global marketplace. And indeed, through my 
roles as a United States Senator and Chairman of the U.S.-Spain 
Council, I have seen firsthand the immense depth and strength of the 
United States-Spain bond.
  This bond continues to flourish because our countries and our peoples 
share the fundamental values of freedom and democracy. In today's 
complicated world, the United States and Spain are true friends. And I 
would like to say to the Spanish people--rest assured that during this 
time of tragedy, your nation has no greater friend than the American 
people.
  As my colleagues are aware, these horrific terrorist attacks have 
occurred only days before Spain is to hold its general elections. The 
attacks were likely meant to disrupt Spain's strong democratic 
institutions. And they were surely aimed at the values of freedom and 
democracy that both Spain and the United States hold dear.
  Although it is not yet clear who was behind these attacks, I have a 
message for them, wherever they are. The values that Spain and America 
share will not be broken by cowardly acts of terror; the friendship and 
cooperation between our nations will continue. And despite your 
efforts, elections will be held--the Spanish democracy will continue to 
thrive.
  In times of need, we grow more united. And together, we will move 
forward to ensure that this world is safe for freedom-loving people 
everywhere.
  I thank the majority leader and minority leader for putting this 
resolution forth this afternoon. It is a timely resolution to take a 
few minutes out from the budget resolution to share our collective 
thoughts and to express them to the people of Spain over this 
incredible tragedy. I associate myself with the remarks that have been 
given by the majority leader, the Democratic leader, and my colleague 
from Virginia who have spoken eloquently about our feelings.
  I recall vividly the day after September 11 reading Spanish papers. 
The headlines in the Spanish papers in Madrid and Barcelona said the 
following in Spanish: Nosotros somos, Americos.
  I think, tonight, all Members in the Senate would want to say to the 
people of Spain in this moment: Nosotros somos, Espanolas.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida.
  Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. I would like to add a few comments to what has 
been so eloquently said.
  There has never been a time in the 500-year relationship between 
Spain and what is now the United States of America in which there have 
been stronger bonds of genuine friendship and empathy for each other, 
particularly at a time of tragedy such as this that exists today.
  I spoke early today with the Ambassador of Spain to the United States 
and he described what his country was experiencing as their September 
11. Just as they came forward with such effectiveness and genuine 
remorse when we experienced our tragedy, we share those same feelings 
toward theirs today.
  May the bonds of our friendship give strength to both Spanish people 
and our people as we have experienced the consequences of terrorism on 
our own soil. Our hopes and our prayers are with our brothers in Spain.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
  There is a sufficient second.
  The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk called the roll.
  Mr. DASCHLE. I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. 
Edwards), the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson), and the Senator 
from Massachusettes (Mr. Kerry) are necessarily absent.
  I also announce that the Senator from Nevada (Mr. Reid) is absent 
attending a funeral.

[[Page S2643]]

  The result was announced--yeas 96, nays 0, as follows:

                      [Rollcall Vote No. 43 Leg.]

                                YEAS--96

     Akaka
     Alexander
     Allard
     Allen
     Baucus
     Bayh
     Bennett
     Biden
     Bingaman
     Bond
     Boxer
     Breaux
     Brownback
     Bunning
     Burns
     Byrd
     Campbell
     Cantwell
     Carper
     Chafee
     Chambliss
     Clinton
     Cochran
     Coleman
     Collins
     Conrad
     Cornyn
     Corzine
     Craig
     Crapo
     Daschle
     Dayton
     DeWine
     Dodd
     Dole
     Domenici
     Dorgan
     Durbin
     Ensign
     Enzi
     Feingold
     Feinstein
     Fitzgerald
     Frist
     Graham (FL)
     Graham (SC)
     Grassley
     Gregg
     Hagel
     Harkin
     Hatch
     Hollings
     Hutchison
     Inhofe
     Inouye
     Jeffords
     Kennedy
     Kohl
     Kyl
     Landrieu
     Lautenberg
     Leahy
     Levin
     Lieberman
     Lincoln
     Lott
     Lugar
     McCain
     McConnell
     Mikulski
     Miller
     Murkowski
     Murray
     Nelson (FL)
     Nelson (NE)
     Nickles
     Pryor
     Reed
     Roberts
     Rockefeller
     Santorum
     Sarbanes
     Schumer
     Sessions
     Shelby
     Smith
     Snowe
     Specter
     Stabenow
     Stevens
     Sununu
     Talent
     Thomas
     Voinovich
     Warner
     Wyden

                             NOT VOTING--4

     Edwards
     Johnson
     Kerry
     Reid
  The resolution (S. Res. 319) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 319

       Whereas on March 11, 2004, terrorists detonated a total of 
     10 bombs at 6 train stations in and around Madrid, Spain 
     during morning rush hour, killing more than 190 people and 
     injuring more than 1,200 others;
       Whereas these attacks constitute the worst acts of 
     terrorism ever experienced in Spain;
       Whereas no organization has claimed responsibility for the 
     terrorist attacks;
       Whereas the terrorist organization known as ETA, which has 
     been responsible for the deaths of more than 800 people 
     during its decades long campaign to establish an independent 
     Basque State, is a prime suspect as the perpetrator of these 
     cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent people;
       Whereas officials in Spain initiated another line of 
     investigation to identify the perpetrators of the terrorist 
     attacks after a van was found with detonators and an Arabic-
     language tape of Koranic verses;
       Whereas President Jose Maria Aznar has stated that ``we 
     shall not forget'', bravely declared that Spain would not 
     change its policies because of terrorist pressure, and 
     declared three days of national mourning;
       Whereas the President of the European Parliament has stated 
     that the terrorist attacks are ``a declaration of war on 
     democracy'', Pope John Paul II has described the attacks as 
     ``despicable'', and the United Nations Secretary General Kofi 
     Annan expressed profound shock and indignation over this 
     ``senseless killing of innocent people''; and
       Whereas President George W. Bush has already called 
     President Aznar to offer his condolences and to assure him 
     that ``the United States stands resolutely with Spain in the 
     fight against terrorism in all its forms and against the 
     particular threat that Spain faces from the evil of ETA 
     terrorism'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses the outrage and shock of the people of the 
     United States over the terrorist attacks that occurred in and 
     around Madrid, Spain on March 11, 2004;
       (2) joins with President Bush in expressing its deepest 
     condolences and pledges to remain shoulder to shoulder with 
     the people of Spain in the war on terrorism;
       (3) expresses its strong solidarity with the people of 
     Spain during their difficult hour, and its deep condolences 
     to the families of the victims of these despicable terrorist 
     attacks;
       (4) calls on all nations to join with the United States in 
     condemning the monstrous attacks on the innocent people of 
     Spain and in attempting to identify the perpetrators of the 
     attacks and bring them to account;
       (5) expresses its readiness to consult with representatives 
     of King Juan Carlos, President Jose Maria Aznar, the Spanish 
     government, the Spanish Cortes, and other public authorities 
     about joint efforts to combat terrorism more effectively;
       (6) commends the United States Embassy in Madrid for its 
     prompt offers of assistance to the Government of Spain, and 
     for its efforts to determine the welfare and whereabouts of 
     United States citizens who may have been affected by the 
     terrorist attacks; and
       (7) urges the executive branch to continue to provide all 
     possible assistance to Spain in order to identify and bring 
     to account the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks that 
     occurred on March 11, 2004, in Madrid and of other terrorist 
     attacks against the people of Spain.

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