[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 7 (Thursday, January 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E42-E43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONDEMNING ASSASSINATION OF FORMER PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER BENAZIR 
BHUTTO AND REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT OF UNITED STATES TO ASSIST PEOPLE OF 
                                PAKISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 16, 2008

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 912.
  Benazir Bhutto was a leader for her people. In 1988, she won the 
first free democratic elections after 20 years of military rule. Not 
only one of the youngest leaders in the world, she became the first 
woman to head an Islamic country. Prime Minister Bhutto pushed for 
equality between men and women through supporting the modernization of 
Pakistan. She built schools around the country and brought electricity 
to rural areas. She pushed housing, hunger, and health care to the top 
of her priority list.
  On October 18, 2007, as she returned to Pakistan from exile in 
London, a failed assassination attempt nearly claimed her life. Despite 
the clear danger to herself if she continued campaigning in Pakistan, 
she chose to stay, firm in her desire to pursue the democratic and 
modernization goals for her country. However, on December 27, 2007, 
terrorists succeeded in their attempts on her life, assassinating 
Benazir Bhutto. Although Bhutto has

[[Page E43]]

been silenced, the democratic ideals she so fervently fought for will 
continue to be voiced throughout Pakistan. The torch she carried will 
be borne by her son and her many other followers.
  In a world where terrorism has become a pronounced presence, this 
assassination is yet another example of the lengths that terrorists 
will go to achieve their ends. And in a world where the United States 
has vowed to fight terrorism to the bitter end, this resolution is yet 
another example of how we will assist all governments in the fight 
against terrorism. Terrorists everywhere must understand that the world 
will not stand still.
  Although no one can bring back this brilliant leader of the Pakistani 
people, the world must condemn these terrorist activities and promote a 
free and democratic environment in Pakistan, an environment in which 
future great Pakistani leaders will rise from Bhutto's memory and 
continue her successes.

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