[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 133 (Friday, September 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1574-E1575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE LINE OF DUTY DEATH GRATUITY ACT OF 
                                  2011

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ALLEN B. WEST

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2011

  Mr. WEST. Mr. Speaker, today I rise, with my colleague Congressman 
Bennie Thompson, to introduce the Foreign Service Line of Duty Death 
Gratuity Act.
  As our nation approaches the 10th Anniversary of the terrorist 
attacks on September 11th, it is important to acknowledge that the 
attacks in New York and Washington, DC, were not the first shots fired 
in this war, but rather just an escalation of previous attacks against 
the UnitedStates.
  Over the course of the upcoming weekend, Americans will reflect on 
the events of 10 years ago. Where were they on that terrible day? What 
were they doing when the towers fell and when the Pentagon was hit? How 
did they react when it became apparent that it was a terrorist attack 
on our country?
  The events of that day have guided our Federal Government's approach, 
and indeed our society's approach, to preventing future attacks in many 
different ways.
  However, there is another significant date--a date that may be less 
familiar to many Americans. That date is August 7, 1998. I know that 
for many Americans, if not most, it is difficult to recall what they 
were doing or where they were that day.
  For the Department of State, and for many Foreign Service Officers 
and members of the State Department family, that date is a defining 
moment in each of their lives.
  On the afternoon of August 7, 1998, over 8,000 miles from Capitol 
Hill on the continent of Africa, Al Qaeda terrorists set off two 
simultaneous truck bombs at the entrances to our embassies in Nairobi, 
Kenya, and Dares Salaam, Tanzania.
  When the smoke finally cleared, 300 people were dead. Twelve 
Americans and 40 citizens of Kenya and Tanzania who were working for 
the United States Government were among those killed. More than 5,000 
were injured, and two United States embassies were destroyed.
  Although the attacks were directed at American facilities, the vast 
majority of casualties were local citizens.
  Fifteen years earlier, in 1983, a suicide bomber attacked the United 
States Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. In that tragedy, sixty people died--
mostly embassy staff members and U.S. service members. At that time, it 
was the deadliest attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission, and isconsidered 
by some to mark the beginning of attacks by Islamist extremist groups 
on the United States.
  After the Beirut attack, a Commission was set up under the leadership 
of former Navy Admiral Bobby Inman. Recommendations were made, funding 
was provided, and the State Department was charged to replace 77 
embassies and consulates that failed to meet basic security standards.
  The Commission stated that ``a large number of facilities around the 
world, which once may have represented the optimal site for the conduct 
of American diplomacy, [should] be replaced by more physically secure 
sites and buildings. The Panel believe[s] that it [is] essential that a 
substantial relocation and building program be initiated and carried 
out with dispatch.''Despite this recommendation from the Inman 
Commission, a lack of appropriate sites and a lack of funding resulted 
in the Department completing only 22 of the planned Inman embassies.
  By the time of the East African bombings, the Department had only one 
new embassy under construction. After the 1998 East African attacks, 
another Commission was set up, again under the leadership of retired 
Navy Admiral William Crowe. Once again recommendations were made, 
funding was provided, and the State Department was charged to replace 
187 aging and unsecure embassies. The State Department worked closely 
with the Office of Management and Budget and the United States Congress 
to ensure that a funding commitment was put in place.In response, 
Congress passed the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism 
Act of 1999.
  Over the last 13 years, the Department of State's Bureau of Overseas 
Buildings Operations has completed, or has under construction, more 
than 100 facilities around the globe. Approximately 25,000 federal 
employees have moved into safer, more secure, and functional facilities 
overseas. With this latest building program, the State Department has 
moved one-quarter of all U.S. Government overseas employees into new 
facilities.
  Since the East African bombings, American diplomatic facilities have 
been attacked over 140 times. Recently, attacks in Belgrade, Serbia; 
Sanaa, Yemen; Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and many others have been covered on 
the news. When they happen, these events are breaking news stories, but 
are often quickly forgotten. The State Department has been fortunate in 
each of these attacks that the perpetrators of the violence have never 
breached the hard line of the embassy building.
  While the State Department continues to build secure facilities, the 
13 years since the East Africa bombings have seen the world become more 
dangerous. The goal of the Bureau of Overseas Buildings is to construct 
facilities that provide American diplomats with safe and functional 
facilities where they can advance foreign policy, and ultimately make 
the world better, safer and more secure. Until that day comes, however, 
these Federal employees who bravely serve our nation continue to be at 
risk of terrorist attack.
  Many of the Foreign Service Officers who work in United States 
diplomatic platforms serve alongside and face the same hazards and 
risks as our military personnel and intelligence officers.
  As Foreign Service employees engage more visibly in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, it is important

[[Page E1575]]

that they know that their contributions and sacrifices are as highly 
valued as those of our military personnel.
  The Foreign Service Line of Duty Death Gratuity Act would authorize 
the Department of State to provide compensation for the families of 
fallen Foreign Service employees that is comparable to what is provided 
to the families of fallen military personnel.
  Under current law, the surviving family members of an American 
Foreign Service employee are entitled to one year's salary and the 
proceeds of their federal life insurance benefit. In contrast, the 
family of a fallen member of the military is entitled to an enhanced 
life insurance and death gratuity that was authorized by the United 
States Congress in 2005. This is a disparity that can no longer be 
overlooked.
  The Foreign Service Line of Duty Death Gratuity Act would ensure that 
the families of Foreign Service employees receive, at a minimum, a 
death gratuity equal of $100,000, matching the benefit provided to 
military personnel. An enhanced life insurance benefit of at least 
$400,000 for Foreign Service employees serving at a recognized danger 
pay post also matches the benefit available to military personnel 
participating in combat operations or stationed in combat zones. 
Foreign Service employees with a higher yearly salary or life insurance 
payout will maintain their benefits as they exist under current law.
  This legislation also recognizes our moral obligation to the families 
of the twelve Americans killed in the August 1998 Al Qaeda bombing of 
the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Many of the surviving family 
members of that incident have endured significant and continuing 
financial and personal hardships that serve as a poignant example of 
the burdens faced by such survivors. These families have been unable to 
seek damages through the courts as other families in similar situations 
have because such actions are limited to state-sponsored acts of 
terror.
  Similar legislation has passed the House of Representatives in 
previous Congressional sessions, but failed to clear the hurdle of the 
United States Senate. Then-Congressman Roy Blunt (R-MO) continually led 
this effort over the years, and I am honored to carry the torch during 
the 112th Congress.
  As we approach the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we 
need to recognize the individuals who died at the hand of a terrorist 
attack three years before 9/11, and uphold our foremost responsibility 
to our courageous and dedicated Foreign Service employees and their 
families.

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