[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 121 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H7324-H7325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING UNITED KINGDOM FOR ITS EFFORTS IN THE WAR ON TERROR
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 989) commending the United Kingdom for its efforts
in the War on Terror, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 989
Whereas on August 10, 2006, British police arrested 24
people for plotting to commit acts of terror on trans-
Atlantic flights;
Whereas as of August 31, 2006, 12 citizens have been
charged for their roles in the terror plot, including eight
citizens charged with conspiracy to murder;
Whereas United Kingdom authorities acted swiftly and
decisively to prevent a horrific attack on scores of innocent
people;
Whereas the United Kingdom and the United States have been
close allies in not only two World Wars and Operation Desert
Storm, but also the Global War on Terror;
Whereas the intelligence and military communities of the
United Kingdom and the United States continue to work
together to win the Global War on Terror;
Whereas the threat of terrorism is a grave concern for all
nations, regardless of geographical or other boundaries;
Whereas acts of terror have profoundly affected citizens
across the globe, including those in Egypt, India, Indonesia,
Jordan, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United
States; and
Whereas victory in the Global War on Terror is a necessity
to ensure the liberty and safety of all people: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the law enforcement authorities of the United
Kingdom on their action to prevent a terrible attack from
occurring;
(2) commends the intelligence community of the United
Kingdom for its outstanding work in identifying the citizens
seeking to carry out this plot;
(3) condemns those that would use acts of violence against
innocent civilians to spread a message of hate and
intolerance; and
(4) urges the allies of the United States in the Global War
on Terror to remain steadfast in the execution of this
important mission.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Poe) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 989, a resolution that I
introduced that commends the United Kingdom for its efforts in the war
on terror and for their work in stopping a terrorist plot in July that
could have resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians.
Madam Speaker, since the attack on the United States on 9/11, the
United Kingdom has been our closest ally in the war on terrorism. In
this effort, there has been extremely close cooperation between
American and British police and intelligence agencies.
In addition, Britain has stood side by side with us both in Iraq and
in Afghanistan. The British still have more than 7,000 troops in Iraq,
and 118 British soldiers have lost their lives in that war. In
Afghanistan, 40 soldiers from the United Kingdom have been killed
fighting the Taliban and those warlords. Currently, Britain heads the
NATO-led international security assistance force in Afghanistan, and
British troops have been involved in particularly heavy fighting in the
southern part of Afghanistan.
In both of these countries, Iraq and Afghanistan, Britain is the
largest contributor of troops of any country after the United States.
The American people will not soon forget the sacrifice of our British
allies in those wars.
Madam Speaker, H. Res. 989 focuses on the outstanding work of law
enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom in preventing the planned
terrorist attack that would have blown up in midair multiple
transatlantic flights from London to the United States. This plot was
thwarted by British police and intelligence officials on August 10,
2006, with the arrest of 24 people.
In addition, the resolution cites terrorism as a grave concern for
all nations, regardless of boundaries, as terrorist attacks have killed
innocent people in countries such as Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan,
Spain, Turkey and, of course, the United Kingdom and here in the United
States.
Britain has been a close, long-time friend of the United States, and
now they are standing with us in the war against terrorism. It is
entirely appropriate for the House of Representatives to recognize
their friendship and contribution in this war.
This resolution was approved unanimously by the Subcommittee on
Europe and Emerging Threats of the House International Relations
Committee on September 20. I would like to thank the subcommittee
chairman, Chairman Gallegly, and the International Relations Committee
chairman, Chairman Hyde, for moving this
[[Page H7325]]
resolution very quickly through the committee, and I urge its passage
by the full House.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 2045
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I want to commend my good friend from Texas, a
distinguished member of the International Relations Committee, for
presenting this resolution, and I want to echo his words.
The United States and the United Kingdom are the closest of allies
for a reason: We share an unshakeable commitment to freedom and
democracy. As the successful British action against the recent
terrorist plot demonstrates, we also share a deep conviction that we
must remain constantly vigilant against those who seek to destroy our
way of life through violence and terrorism.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the support of my good friend from
California (Mr. Lantos).
Madam Speaker, Winston Churchill once said that the United Kingdom
and the United States are two people separated by a common language. As
that may be true, we are not separated but united in our determination
and we speak in concert in our mission, to win this war on
international terrorism.
To the people of the United Kingdom, we, as Americans, are very
grateful for their support.
Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this resolution.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of
H. Res. 989, commending the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War
on Terror, and for other purposes.
United Kingdom and the United States have been close allies in not
only two World Wars and Operation Desert Storm, but also the Global War
on Terror. We are cousins and we are friends, with a common history and
common cause.
On September 11, 2001, the United Kingdom reached out to us in
sympathy and friendship, and joined us in facing the emerging threat of
religious fundamental extremism.
Sadly, on July 7, 2005, we reached out in turn as Britain suffered a
terrorist attack on its London Underground and a bus, killing 56 people
including four suicide bombers. As they suffered, so did we suffer,
remembering the pain and confusion, the shock and the remorse.
We have struggled to find sound policy to protect our homelands, and
have stood shoulder to shoulder to develop effective strategies. Though
we earn the criticism of many nations, including that of the United
Kingdom, the conversation remains honest and open.
The averted threat this past summer in fact illustrates the necessity
of a global strategy, as well as the partnership of the United States
and the United Kingdom.
On August 10, 2006, British police arrested 24 people for plotting to
commit acts of terror on trans-Atlantic flights with the help of the
Pakistan Government. As of August 31, 2006, 12 citizens have been
charged for their roles in the terror plot, including eight citizens
charged with conspiracy to murder. This is only the latest
demonstration that terrorism is not restrained by borders. Our
gratitude for this heroic and brave effort can only be expressed in our
ongoing perseverance and commitment to eradicating threats such as
these.
We are brothers in arms, united by history and by creed. I wish the
same blessings for the United Kingdom as I do for our own nation--
safety, security, prosperity, and wisdom to make decisions that are
forward thinking, democratic, and just.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and honor the
accomplishments of the United Kingdom in the War on Terror.
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res 989, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will
be postponed.
____________________