[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H4182-H4183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MEMBERS OF AIR FORCE KILLED IN THE KHOBAR TOWERS TERRORIST 
                                BOMBING

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 32) honoring the 
members of the United States Air Force who were killed in the June 25, 
1996, terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers United States military 
housing compound near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 32

       Whereas June 25, 2008, marks the 12th anniversary of the 
     terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers United States military 
     housing compound in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on June 25, 1996;
       Whereas 19 members of the United States Air Force were 
     killed, more than 500 other Americans were injured, and 297 
     innocent Saudi or Bangladeshi citizens were killed or injured 
     in the terrorist attack;
       Whereas the 19 airmen killed while serving their country 
     were Captain Christopher J. Adams, Staff Sergeant Daniel B. 
     Cafourek, Sergeant Millard D. Campbell, Senior Airman Earl F. 
     Cartrette, Jr., Technical Sergeant Patrick P. Fennig, Captain 
     Leland T. Haun, Master Sergeant Michael G. Heiser, Staff 
     Sergeant Kevin J. Johnson, Staff Sergeant Ronald L. King, 
     Master Sergeant Kendall K. Kitson, Jr., Airman First Class 
     Christopher B. Lester, Airman First Class Brent E. Marthaler, 
     Airman First Class Brian W. McVeigh, Airman First Class Peter 
     J. Morgera, Technical Sergeant Thanh V. Nguyen, Airman First 
     Class Joseph E. Rimkus, Senior Airman Jeremy A. Taylor, 
     Airman First Class Justin R. Wood, and Airman First Class 
     Joshua E. Woody;
       Whereas the families of these brave airmen still mourn 
     their loss;
       Whereas three months after that terrorist bombing, on 
     September 24, 1996, the House of Representatives agreed to 
     House Concurrent Resolution 200 of the 104th Congress, 
     honoring the victims of that terrorist bombing;
       Whereas on the fifth anniversary of that terrorist bombing, 
     on June 25, 2001, the House of Representatives agreed to 
     House Concurrent Resolution 161 of the 107th Congress, which 
     was concurred in by the Senate on July 12, 2002, further 
     honoring the victims of that bombing;
       Whereas on June 27, 2005, the House of Representatives 
     agreed to House Concurrent Resolution 188 of the 109th 
     Congress, further honoring the victims of that terrorist 
     bombing;
       Whereas those guilty of carrying out the attack have yet to 
     be brought to justice; and
       Whereas terrorism remains a constant and ever-present 
     threat around the world: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That, on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of 
     the terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers United States 
     military housing compound in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 
     Congress--
       (1) recognizes the service and sacrifice of the 19 members 
     of the United States Air Force who died in that attack;
       (2) calls upon every American to pause and pay tribute to 
     those brave airmen;
       (3) extends its continued sympathies to the families of 
     those who died; and
       (4) assures the members of the Armed Forces serving 
     anywhere in the world that their well-being and interests 
     will at all times be given the highest priority.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I stand before you and my colleagues today in support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 32, honoring members of the United States Air 
Force who were wounded and killed in the June 25, 1996 terrorist 
bombing of the Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
  The June blast took the lives of 19 airmen from Eglin Air Force Base, 
Florida, and destroyed the entire front of Dhahran's Khobar Towers 
housing compound. More than 500 U.S. Air Force troops were wounded, and 
297 Middle Eastern citizens were killed or injured as a result of the 
bombing. Five thousand pounds of plastic explosives disguised in a 
water tanker truck claimed the lives of servicemembers whose families 
were left grieving the loss of their loved ones.
  Life, our most treasured asset, is too often taken unexpectedly. It 
was the sworn duty of our airmen to protect and serve this country by 
all means, and in our commitment to them and others who have given 
their lives in defense of our great Nation, we honor their selfless 
sacrifice and take a moment to reflect upon their contribution that 
provides us the freedoms we enjoy today.
  House Concurrent Resolution 32 extends our sympathies to the families 
of loved ones whose perpetrators have yet been brought to justice.
  Although this tragedy acknowledges the cost we pay in our fight 
against terrorism, we remain proud of our courageous and steadfast 
troops who are no doubt the best in the world. We call upon every 
American today to pause and pay tribute to the brave airmen who died, 
and to take a moment to thank our members of the Armed Forces currently 
serving around the world and express our appreciation for their duty 
and honor to protect America's interests around the world.
  This resolution recognizes the service and sacrifice of those airmen 
whose lives were lost on that fateful day. I strongly urge my 
colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 32 in remembrance of 
the 19 fallen heroes on the 12th anniversary of the Dhahran terrorist 
bombing.
  I thank my good friend and colleague from Florida (Mr. Miller) for 
bringing forward this measure, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 
32, honoring the 19 members of the United States Air Force who were 
killed, and more than 500 other Americans injured in Dhahran, Saudi 
Arabia, by a terrorist truck bomb in June, 1996.
  I want to commend my colleague on the House Armed Services Committee, 
Representative Jeff Miller of Florida, for sponsoring this resolution. 
This is the fourth time that the House of Representatives has honored 
on this

[[Page H4183]]

floor the sacrifice of those who died or were injured that day. 
Previous resolutions were passed in 1996, 2001 and 2005.
  I note these milestones because they should remind us of important 
facts. One fact is that the global war on terrorism did not begin on 
September 11, 2001. It was well before that date that terrorists set 
out to kill and injure Americans on a large scale. We must never 
forget, and must be ever vigilant today against the continuing 
commitment of terrorists to seriously damage America and its interests 
whenever and wherever they can.
  Another fact is that the 19 Air Force personnel who died at Khobar 
Towers in June, 1996, were defending our freedom and the national 
security interests of the United States. The resolution today honors 
them for that sacrifice.
  The resolution also serves as a way to extend our continued sympathy 
to their families.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I call upon all Americans to pause and honor the 
service and sacrifice of those not only 19 Americans who died in the 
Khobar Towers bombing, but also those who served and continue to serve 
in the defense of our Nation and its values. I urge my colleagues to 
support this most worthy resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) for 
that time which he might consume.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I do rise today in honor of H. Con. Res. 32, which does 
honor the members of the United States Air Force that were killed on 
the 25th of June, 1996 in the Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
  This is the 12th anniversary of the terrorist bombing which killed 19 
members of the U.S. Air Force and injured over 300 Americans. On that 
day in 1996, a truck bomb exploded outside the fence around the Khobar 
Towers compound.

                              {time}  1215

  The bomb, estimated at more than 3,000 pounds, detonated about 85 
feet from a residential housing unit where U.S. troops were, killing 19 
United States Air Force servicemen and wounding hundreds of other 
Americans. The force of that explosion destroyed or damaged six high-
rise apartment buildings and shattered windows throughout the entire 
residential compound.
  Today we honor the 19 airmen who gave their lives in the service of 
this great Nation. This Congress joins me in paying tribute to those 
men, who are individually recognized in H. Con. Res. 32.
  It's important to note that 12 of the 19 men killed in the attack 
were based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida's First District. Several 
of the airmen, along with their families, were constituents. These 
brave men, like the men and women currently serving in our military 
today, were on freedom's watch, prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice 
in defense of our Nation. As we approach Memorial Day, it's only 
fitting that we remember the 19 airmen killed at Khobar Towers as well 
as the many brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom 
and our security. It's my sincere hope that all Americans will give 
pause and honor these heroes and others for their sacrifice.
  As we look back to 12 years ago, we know that Khobar Towers and the 
bombing there was a precursor to the terrorist attacks on the USS Cole; 
the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center; and the 
current global war on terrorism that we fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
No matter where our troops are stationed, we recognize that they are 
prepared to defend our security, American values, and the American way 
of life. It's my hope that we can prevent future attacks like the one 
at Khobar Towers as we aggressively fight terrorism all around the 
globe.
  I want to personally express my deepest appreciation to the families 
of these heroes who were killed at Khobar Towers. We can never undo the 
tragedy that they have lived. We can never ease the pain, and I know 
it's with each of them each and every day. But I hope, and I know that 
my colleagues join me in this hope, that with the adoption of this 
resolution, they will take from our actions some solace in the fact 
that we do not forget those contributions and those sacrifices of their 
loved ones. They were much more than airmen. They were sons, fathers, 
brothers, and they are loved ones.
  Mr. Speaker, our action on this resolution sends a message to the 
families of those who died, to our Nation, and to the rest of the 
world, that we honor the sacrifices of these 19 airmen and the families 
they left behind. They served with the highest distinction and 
professionalism which is indicative of the United States military. No 
one could have served better or given more.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me and the 50 cosponsors in 
support of this resolution.
  Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Miller for 
bringing this resolution forward in honoring the brave men killed in 
the Khobar Towers bombing.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 32 to 
honor the 19 airmen that were killed by a cowardly act of terrorism 
while serving our Nation on June 25, 1996, at Khobar Towers in Dhahran, 
Saudi Arabia.
  June 1996, Mr. Speaker. That is more than 5 years before many people 
believe the global war on terror began. But the terrible attack on our 
Nation on September 11, 2001, was by no means the first attack against 
Americans in the global war on terror. These 19 Americans were killed, 
and 300 others injured, by a bomb created at the hands of vicious and 
deceitful extremists who oppose the principles that we all share and 
that these airmen were helping defend.
  These American warriors were in Saudi Arabia to aid in preserving 
freedom for our friends in Kuwait. They were willing to risk their 
lives on the other side of the world, far away from their families, far 
from home, to support a mission to oppose tyranny. We must always 
remember the price these Americans paid. We must always honor their 
sacrifice for the freedom of others. Today, I pay tribute to these 
American airmen. They were brothers, fathers, and sons, and I know 
their families still mourn their loss. Nothing will ever replace the 
precious life of a lost loved one, but I offer their families my 
prayers and sympathy.
  These 19 American airmen represent the essence of what makes our 
Nation great. Their selfless service and the sacrifice that they made 
in the name of liberty is one that we shall forever be in their debt. 
We should never let them be forgotten.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this 
opportunity to state my strong support for this legislation. I am 
grateful to my colleague Representative Jeff Miller for introducing 
this bill.
  The terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers in 1996 was a vicious 
attack upon the United States and our allies in Saudi Arabia. It took 
the lives of 19 brave U.S. servicemembers and hundreds of civilians 
were injured. This attack was and remains a clear example of the type 
of enemy we face in the Global War on Terrorism. And so, it is 
incumbent upon us all to honor the lives of those lost as we comfort 
the families that were forever changed by this horrible event.
  As we pause to remember their lives and their sacrifice, we should 
recommit ourselves to doing all we can to protect Americans--those 
serving overseas and those here at home. We must be ever vigilant of 
the enemies we face and resolve to do all that is necessary to defeat 
terrorism wherever it may be.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Serrano). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
32, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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