[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 106 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING OUTRAGE AT THE TERRORIST ATROCITIES IN BESLAN, RUSSIA

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 421, which was 
submitted earlier today by Senators Daschle, Talent, Frist, and 
Santorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the resolution by title.

       A resolution (S. Res. 421) expressing outrage at the recent 
     terrorist atrocities in Beslan, Russian Federation, and 
     condolences to the families of the victims.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to this matter be 
printed in the Record as if read.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 421) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 421

       Whereas on Wednesday, September 1, 2004, a group of 
     approximately 30 terrorists took control of School No. 1, 
     located in Beslan, North Ossetia, Russian Federation, and 
     held approximately 1,200 Russians hostage;
       Whereas the terrorists reportedly infiltrated the school 
     and stockpiled weapons and explosives during the ongoing 
     renovation of the school;
       Whereas the terrorists held the captives for more than 50 
     hours, and denied the captives, including the children, 
     access to food, water, and medicine;
       Whereas the terrorists rigged the school with explosives, 
     including a large bomb in the center of the gymnasium where 
     the hostages were being held, and strapped suicide bombs to 
     themselves;
       Whereas children, parents, and teachers who attempted to 
     flee, or to assist the hostages that attempted to escape, 
     were shot by the terrorists;
       Whereas on September 3, 2004, Russian troops and the Beslan 
     hostage-takers exchanged gun fire, a bomb exploded that 
     collapsed the roof of the school, the terrorists began 
     killing the hostages, and massive loss of life ensued;
       Whereas this horrendous terrorist action left more than 300 
     people dead, many of them children, as well as hundreds more 
     who are severely wounded or unaccounted for;
       Whereas the Russian people, as a result of this and other 
     attacks in recent weeks, have experienced incredible loss and 
     are experiencing immense grief as they begin the process of 
     burying their loved ones killed by the actions of these 
     terrorists; and
       Whereas the United States has sent medical supplies and has 
     offered its moral support to the Russian people in response 
     to the terrorist attack at School No. 1: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) condemns in the strongest possible terms this 
     despicable act;
       (2) expresses its condolences to the Russian people and in 
     particular to those families who lost loved ones in the 
     Beslan school tragedy; and
       (3) commends the efforts of the United States Government to 
     provide humanitarian and medical assistance to the people of 
     the Russian Federation.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, if I may take a moment at this late hour, I 
reflect back on the relations between the Soviet Union and United 
States. One day--I don't remember the exact day--they had a book out 
there, and there was someone from the Russian Embassy here, and 
Senators walked out there and wrote their heartfelt feelings about what 
had taken place in Russia. I was so moved by that. The man who was 
there from the Embassy was speaking very broken English, but he was so 
glad we were there. I was so glad to be able to write in that book, 
recognizing the tremendous progress that has been made between the 
United States and Russia.
  I applaud the leader for submitting this resolution. We have come 
such a long way. We stand in this war on terror with former enemies who 
are now our friends. Again, I applaud and commend the leaders for 
bringing this forth. This will be sent to the Russian Government so 
they will know the Senate's sentiments representing the United States, 
and that we speak for all Americans. We send our condolences for the 
brutal acts of these evil men in taking the lives of children and many 
other innocent people.
  Mr. FRIST. I very much appreciate the comments made by the assistant 
Democratic leader, especially in light of the real tragedy that played 
out before our eyes not too long ago, several days ago.
  The resolution we passed is a resolution that addresses the brutal 
terrorist attacks that occurred in Beslan, Russia. We all, through this 
resolution, offer our condolences to the families who have lost loved 
ones, and the people of Russia who continue to mourn beside them.
  It was only last week we all watched as terrorists took control of 
that School No. 1 in Beslan, Russia, a small southern town near the 
Chechen border, and the horror, the slaughter that went on, as 1,200 
students, teachers, and parents--because it was the first day of 
school--were held hostage and were denied food and medicine and water. 
In the horrific video, we saw individuals trying desperately to escape 
and they were simply shot. During the final massacre itself--and it was 
a massacre--we saw the fear and desperation in people's faces. It 
captured this war on terror that we talk about a lot; it captured the 
face of terrorism.
  The Beslan massacre stands as the most monstrous, most despicable act 
of terrorism since the catastrophic events of 9/11. More than 300 
people, many of whom were children, were murdered, and, as we know, 
hundreds more were critically wounded and missing. If there was any 
doubt, there is no doubt any more. Our enemy is willing to commit any 
barbarity to achieve its twisted aims. Our enemy is capable of shooting 
toddlers and destroying a schoolhouse, lacing it with bombs. As we saw 
on 9/11, our enemy rejoiced in the murder of innocent people.
  The purpose of the resolution is to express the ache in our hearts 
for the Russian people, for those dark days they must endure, and it 
also reflects the importance of us renewing our commitment to resolve 
to defeat these forces of terror and to strengthen our determination to 
crush those who would bring calamity upon the civilized world.
  I want to commend President Bush for his compassion and steadfastness 
as he reaches out to President Putin and the Russian people in their 
hour of need, providing appropriate assistance and moral support from 
all of us, from the American people, as the Russian people bury their 
dead and search for meaning amid what is incomprehensible horror. We 
stand by them as reflected in the resolution. America is with the 
Russian people, and together we will eventually defeat terrorism.

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