[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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