[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1530-E1531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONDEMNING 1994 ATTACK ON ARGENTINE JEWISH CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2008

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution, 
condemning the attack on the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association 
(AMIA), and I would like to thank my friend from Florida, the Ranking 
Member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-
Lehtinen for sponsoring this meaningful resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, on July 18th, 1994, a huge explosion rocked the city of 
Buenos Aires--marking the second murderous attack against Israeli and 
Jewish targets in Argentina, which is home to the largest Jewish 
community in Latin America. The first occurred 2 years prior and was 
aimed at the Israeli Embassy. The second was the bombing of the 
Argentine Jewish Mutual Association--where 85 people were murdered and 
hundreds more wounded.
  It has been 14 years since the Jewish Mutual Association was 
attacked. Yet, the culprits have not been brought to justice. Part of 
the reason is there is extensive evidence linking the planning of the 
attacks to the Government of Iran and the execution of that attack to 
Hezbollah, an umbrella organization of radical Islamic Shiite groups 
with strong links to Iran and Syria. Iran and Hezbollah have a history 
of supporting and sponsoring terror, and they have been unwilling to 
cooperate with investigators.
  I have denounced their actions, particularly Iran for being the 
engine behind these attacks

[[Page E1531]]

by financing, training, and arming terrorist organizations like 
Hezbollah. And, the time has come for all nations to fully cooperate 
with the AMIA investigation.
  Too many lives have been lost. Too many families have been ripped 
apart. Too many have suffered.
  It is time for the world to join together to move peace forward in 
the Middle East, to end violence against the Jewish community at-large, 
and to foster respect and understanding for all people throughout the 
world.
  I believe we can start by bringing the perpetrators of the attacks on 
Argentina to justice. By punishing those who caused death, harm and 
conflict in Argentina, we will set a clear signal to the world that 
killing will not advance their cause.
  Thanks again to Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen for sponsoring this 
resolution. It is important for the Argentinean government to know that 
we support their efforts to bring the perpetrators of this horrific 
crime to justice. And again, my deepest condolences and sympathy to the 
people of Argentina and Israel for the grave loss of life and vast 
destruction caused by this attack.

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