[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2615-E2616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES REGARDING ATTACK ON UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD 
                 PROGRAM OFFICE IN ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2009

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I extend my strong support to H. 
Res. 823, which expresses condolences to the families, friends and 
colleagues of those killed and injured in the recent attack on the 
United Nations World Food Program office in Islamabad, Pakistan, and 
support for the World Food Program's mission to bring emergency food 
aid to the most vulnerable people of Pakistan and around the world.
  On October 5, 2009, a suicide bomber attacked the World Food Program 
office in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing five employees, Botan Ahmed Ali 
Al-Hayawi, Farzana Barkat, Abid Rehman, Gulrukh Tahir, and Mohamed 
Wahab. But more than killing these five individuals, the tragedy has 
affected the ability of this very important organization to meet 
Pakistan's most pressing humanitarian needs.
  The United Nations World Food Program was established in 1962 and 
works to provide men, women and children with access to the food needed 
for an active and healthy life. In 2008, the World Food Program fed 102 
million hungry and poor people in 78 countries. In Pakistan, the World 
Food Program provides assistance to 10 million people at any given 
time, including 2 million Pakistanis displaced by fighting in the Swat 
Valley region earlier this year.
  As the international community grieves over the loss of five staff 
members who selflessly gave themselves to their fellow men and women, 
let us recognize the critical work of the United Nations World Food 
Program. More than 84.7 percent of Pakistanis live on less than US $2 
per day, and I daresay that Pakistan cannot afford to go on without the 
work and aid delivered by this organization.
  I extend my sincerest condolences to the families, friends, and 
colleagues whose loved ones were lost in the recent attack on the World 
Food Program office in Islamabad. Moreover, I reaffirm my support for 
the mission of the World Food Program, its leadership and staff of over 
10,000 dedicated men and women.
  Lastly, I hope that this event reminds my colleagues in Congress, the 
American people and citizens of the world, that as human beings, it is 
in our personal interest to ensure that no one on this earth goes 
hungry for want of food. Let us rise up in solidarity with the people 
of the United Nations World Food Program and ensure that the recent 
attack does not diminish, but strengthens, our resolve to advance anti-
hunger efforts in Pakistan and defeat poverty around the world.

[[Page E2616]]



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