[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 108 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1644-E1645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE BESLAN MASSACRE

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2006

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
sympathy over the terrible tragedy that took place just over two years 
ago in the southern Russian city of Beslan. This nightmare began on 
September 1, 2004, the first day of school when over 1000 students, 
parents, and teachers were forced by terrorists at gunpoint into a 
gymnasium rigged with explosives. These young students and others were 
held hostage for three days without access to food or water while the 
sick and wounded were denied access to medical treatment. In the end, 
nearly 400 people lost their lives, including 186 children, and over 
700 people were wounded in the savage and senseless acts of violence 
that occurred in Beslan.
  Words alone cannot adequately convey the heartache and sorrow over 
this barbaric act of terrorism. Having an entire Russian school taken 
hostage by terrorists was shocking. As the world watched, hoping 
against hope that this would somehow be resolved peacefully, it was 
horrible to learn on September 3rd that there had been massive loss of 
innocent lives in the early afternoon of that day.
  Mr. Speaker, we continue to grieve for those children and their 
families and join with other Americans in solidarity with the Russian 
people on this somber second anniversary of the Beslan massacre.

[[Page E1645]]

  As Americans we know what it is like to watch--helplessly and in 
horror--as merciless acts of terrorism are committed against innocent 
people. We will never forget the tremendous outpouring of sympathy from 
the people of Russia following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. 
This support was much appreciated by our wounded nation and helped us 
through the dark days in the immediate aftermath of the senseless 
violence of that fateful day.
  As both our nations mourn the losses of September 3rd and September 
11th, let us find hope in the countless stories of humanitarian acts 
that surrounded those horrible events. Colleagues, let us remember the 
heroism of our first responders, the valor of our troops, and the 
generosity of our communities in their collective response to these 
tragedies. May the God of mercy grant His peace to all those who 
continue to suffer from the violence of those tragic days.

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