[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7386-H7388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONDEMNING TERRORIST ATTACK IN JAKARTA, INDONESIA, ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 767) condemning the terrorist attack in Jakarta, 
Indonesia, that occurred on September 9, 2004, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 767

       Whereas on September 9, 2004, terrorists attacked hundreds 
     of innocent civilians, killing at least nine bystanders, in 
     front of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia; and

[[Page H7387]]

       Whereas terrorism must be condemned in the strongest terms 
     whenever and wherever it occurs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist 
     attack in Jakarta, Indonesia, that occurred on September 9, 
     2004;
       (2) expresses its deepest condolences to the families of 
     the individuals murdered in the terrorist attack, expresses 
     its sympathies to the individuals injured in the attack, and 
     conveys its hope for the rapid and complete recovery of all 
     surviving victims; and
       (3) urges the United States, Indonesia, Australia, and all 
     other countries to stand united against terrorism and to work 
     together to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 
     terrorist attack in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Res. 767, the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, in an unspeakable act of terror, suspected al Qaeda-
linked militants detonated a car bomb outside the Australian embassy in 
Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday, September 9 of this year, killing 9 
people and wounding at least 173.
  The bomb exploded shortly after 10:15 a.m. local time, just in front 
of the Australian embassy's gate, flattening a section of the steel 
fence and shattering scores of windows in the high-rise office building 
as far as 500 meters away. Most of the casualties were Indonesian 
policemen, embassy security guards and passers-by. No one inside the 
embassy was killed, although several Australians and other foreign 
citizens were wounded in the attack. Police are now investigating 
whether a suicide bomber triggered the blast.
  The Australian embassy bombing is the third attack perpetrated by the 
Islamic militants in the 2 years since the horrible Bali bombings and a 
deadly blast at Jakarta's Marriott hotel last year. The attacks have 
been blamed on the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah.
  Mr. Speaker, all Americans strongly condemn this outrageous act of 
violence. We express our deep condolences to the victims and families 
of this heinous crime, as well as to the peoples of Indonesia and 
Australia.
  It is also fitting, Mr. Speaker, that we recognize the strong steps 
Australia and Indonesia have taken jointly, as well as separately, to 
combat terrorism and investigate this crime. We applaud their efforts 
to stamp out terrorist threats to their countries and the region and 
are confident they will bring the perpetrators of this brutal attack to 
justice.
  Mr. Speaker I would urge support for the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume, and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I would first like to commend our colleague, the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), for introducing this timely and 
important resolution, along with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Wexler), who serves as cochair of the Indonesia Caucus along with the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).
  The resolution before the House condemns the September 9 terrorist 
attack outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. Nine 
Indonesians lost their lives in this brutal attack, and almost 200 
people were injured.
  This latest attack by Jemaah Islamiah sadly confirms Indonesia's 
status as a frontline state in the global battle against terrorism. 
Over 200 young people, mostly Australian, were murdered in the 2002 
Bali bombings. Twelve Indonesians were also killed at the suicide 
bombing at the J.W. Marriott hotel in Jakarta in August 2003.
  While this latest attack occurred on Indonesian soil and those killed 
were Indonesians, the attack itself was aimed at Australia and its 
people.
  However, these cowardly terrorist acts will not prevent Australia 
from standing strong against terrorism or from continuing to support 
the spread of democracy and freedom around the world. Neither will 
these attacks be successful in changing the path of Indonesia, who has 
just held peaceful, democratic elections in testament to its moderate 
character.
  The United States must continue to play a leadership role in 
developing an international coalition that works closely with ASEAN 
countries to help develop strong partnerships that will help prevent 
future terrorist attacks.
  I would like to convey to the Indonesian people my heartfelt 
sympathies for the innocent loss of life on September 9 and my 
appreciation to the Australians for their willingness to confront 
international terrorism at every turn.
  I strongly support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished 
gentleman for the time.
  First, I would like to thank him for his leadership, and I would like 
to add my appreciation, as well, to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Burton), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler) and the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Meeks) and the manager of this bill for it is of great 
importance that we coalesce with our allies and offer a mutual 
understanding of the pain of the war on terror as it impacts the 
innocent and the uninvolved.
  I rise today to support H. Res. 767, condemning the terrorist attack 
in Jakarta, Indonesia, that occurred September 9, 2004. Indonesia 
obviously is not a stranger to terrorist acts, and it was just a few 
short years ago when they lost hundreds of lives in the terrorist act 
on one of their local nightclubs, an entertainment center where many 
tourists found their way.
  This is an attack on Australia and the coalition to stand up against 
terrorism. It is tragic to note that even innocent individuals can face 
a life of terror because they are victims.
  So I rise to say that there should not be one time when our Nation's 
allies and friends, those who fight their own individual wars on 
terror, do not receive the sympathy of the American people.
  Mr. Speaker, I am reminded of 9/11. I traveled after that. It was so 
overwhelming to hear from all over the world, no matter what region 
people lived in, to offer to the United States and all the people who 
lost loved ones their deepest sympathy and expression of kinship with 
us, recognizing that we are all in this together.
  This war on terror does not find itself comfortable in one place over 
another, one region, one language or one set of values. Every single 
nation in this world may be subject to terror sometime, and we would 
hope that even in those places that would seem to be harboring 
terrorists, we know that there are people there who want peace.
  So I rise to be supportive of H. Res. 767, and as I do that, Mr. 
Speaker, let me add my support as well for S. Con. Res. 137. That, of 
course, is the removal of Sudan from the Human Rights Commission in the 
United Nations.
  I was not able to arrive on the floor in the time. I simply want to 
say that although it may not be characterized as terror, genocide is 
terror.

                              {time}  1745

  We have done everything we could possibly do. The gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Payne), a leader on this issue, the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Meeks), a member of the Committee on International Relations, and 
I have worked on this issue, many Members have, including the 
collective Congressional Black Caucus and many, many Members in a 
bipartisan manner. The Congress has worked its will.
  The tragedy is that this does not translate to the government of 
Sudan. They must receive the greatest penalty, and that may mean the 
removal from the human rights panel at the United Nations, but it also 
may mean divestiture, removing the investments of so many from this 
country and many other places in the economic engine of Sudan.
  The government has not learned by our actions. I believe there should 
be a

[[Page H7388]]

wake-up call, even stronger than S. Con. Res. 137. I look forward to 
our coming together, unified as a Congress, to demand action now by the 
Sudanese government or they will in turn receive the wrath and the 
punishment of not only the American people but the world.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I support H. Res. 767, ask my colleagues 
to vote for it and, as well, S. Con. Res. 137.
  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time, and 
on a closing note, first of all, my compliments to my colleague, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), for his continued leadership on 
this issue as well. And I want to also commend the original sponsor of 
the resolution and one of the senior members of the Committee on 
International Relations, my good friend and former chairman on the 
Committee on Government Reform, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Burton), who also had a very important hand in this very necessary and 
I think very appropriate resolution.
  And as has been said here today, I certainly would urge all of our 
colleagues to pass it, and I look forward to its adoption.
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank you 
Chairman Hyde, Speaker Hastert, and Majority Leader Tom DeLay for 
allowing this most important piece of legislation, H. Res. 767, to be 
considered before the House of Representatives today.
  In the early morning hours of September 9th, 2004, as Indonesians in 
Jakarta were settling into their places of work, a devastating 
explosion rocked the Australian Embassy in the heart of Indonesia's 
capital, sending at least 180 innocent victims to the hospital and 
killing at least 10 innocent and defenseless bystanders.
  It was yet another terrorist attack that the world has unfortunately 
grown so accustomed to. But, for Indonesia, this act of terrorism was 
an attack on their modern and moderate Muslim beliefs and against their 
choice for a free and democratic nation.
  This resolution condemns the terrorist attack that occurred in 
Jakarta, Indonesia, outside of the Australian Embassy on September 9th, 
2004, and expresses our deepest condolences to the families of the 
individuals murdered and those injured in the cowardly terrorist 
attack, as we hope for the speedy and complete recovery of all the 
surviving victims.
  We--as Americans--understand the terrible devastation that is felt 
throughout a nation when this type of senseless tragedy occurs. The 
horrific event on September 9th, 2004, is a reminder that the United 
States and Indonesia--along with the rest of the freedom loving nations 
around the world--must continue to stand firm in our resolve against 
the evils of international terrorism.
  It should be noted that this attack was almost three years to the day 
since the September 11th attacks on New York, Washington, D.C., and 
Pennsylvania; about two years since a bombing ripped through crowded 
nightclubs in Bali's Kuta Beach; and only 12 months after the J.W. 
Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta.
  Furthermore, this devastating attack came just 12 days before the 
final round of Indonesia's first-ever direct presidential election, 
which took place on September 20, 2004, and is being heralded as a 
major milestone and key step towards stabilizing and continuing the 
numerous democratic gains made by Indonesia in recent years.
  The attack also occurred exactly one month before the October 9th, 
2004, general election in Australia; and, these radical terrorists must 
not be allowed to disrupt any free and fair elections, no matter how 
old or young a Democracy may be.
  As a result of Indonesia's belief in the Democratic process, they 
have been the unfortunate target and victim of Jemaah Islamiah (jeh-
mah-Ah Isslah-miyah] terrorists, who have been linked with notorious 
fundamentalists such as Al-Qaeda, and make their home throughout 
southeast Asia.
  The extremist group of radical muslims, Jemaah Islamiah [Jeh-ma-Ah 
Isslah-miyah], who claimed responsibility for the September 9th 
bombing, is trying to disrupt Indonesia's fair and free democratic 
elections, and the emerging road towards democracy in Indonesia must 
not be curtailed by these senseless acts of violence.
  The United States, Indonesia, Australia, and all of our allies should 
stand united in the fight against terrorism, working together to bring 
to justice the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Jakarta, 
Indonesia, and all other acts of terror and violence throughout the 
world.
  I would respectfully ask that all of my distinguished colleagues vote 
``aye'' and let the terrorist thugs who destroyed a peaceful Thursday 
morning in Jakarta know that we will not stand idly by and watch as 
they disrupt the freedoms of our friends, partners, and allies in the 
global war against terrorism.
  Again, thank you Mr. Speaker for allowing me to speak on this 
important resolution.
  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 767, condemning 
the terrorist attack in Jakarta, Indonesia that occurred on September 
9, 2004. I would like to thank the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Burton, 
for introducing this timely and thoughtful measure.
  Mr. Speaker, a suspected al-Qaeda affiliate known as Jemaah Islamiah 
detonated a car-bomb outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, 
Indonesia, on Thursday, 9 Sept. 2004, killing nine people and wounding 
approximately 180 people. While no one inside the Embassy compound was 
killed, several Australian and other foreign citizens were wounded in 
the attack. The great bulk of the casualties were suffered by 
Indonesians who worked in the area or were simply passing by.
  The Australian Embassy bombing is the third major attack in Indonesia 
perpetrated by the Islamic militants, including the deadly Bali 
bombings in 2002 and a blast at Jakarta's Marriott hotel last year.
  Mr. Speaker, all Americans strongly condemn this latest terrorist 
outrage act of violence. We extend our deepest sympathies to the 
victims and families of this outrageous crime as well as to the peoples 
of Indonesia and Australia.
  We stand with the people of Indonesia and Australia in opposition to 
the use of terror, and we salute their individual and collective 
efforts to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.
  Barbarous acts of this kind, whether precipitated in New York and 
Washington, or Jakarta, Istanbul and Madrid, are more crimes against 
civilization and humanity than attacks on any particular nation. Hence 
as we seek accountability we look for the support of faithful people 
and justice seekers of all societies in a war to eliminate the 
cowardice of terrorism.
  The despicable act that occurred in Jakarta earlier this month does 
not put the Indonesian or Australian democracies at particular risk. It 
is civilization and civilized values which demand protection.
  I urge support for the resolution.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 767, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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