[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 128 (Thursday, September 20, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1578-E1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE FOUR UNITED STATES PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO DIED IN LIBYA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 19, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 786, which 
honors the four exceptional public servants who gave their lives in 
service to the United States and condemns the attacks on United States' 
diplomatic facilities in Libya, Egypt, and Yemen.
  I would like to extend my condolences and sympathy in this time of 
great loss to the families of these four heroes.
  Mr. Speaker, John Christopher Stevens, the United States Ambassador 
to Libya; Sean Smith, Foreign Service Information Management Officer; 
and Tyrone S. Woods and Glen

[[Page E1579]]

A. Doherty, Security Officers, were among the finest members of our 
diplomatic corps. They dedicated their lives to promote peace, support 
prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests 
of the United States abroad.
  Ambassador Stevens was a champion of the Libyan people's efforts to 
remove Muammar Qaddafi from power and served as Special Envoy to the 
Libyan Transitional National Council in Benghazi during the 2011 Libyan 
revolution.
  Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith, and 
security officers Tyrone S. Woods and Glen A. Doherty as well as the 
United States' citizens that were injured in these attacks made 
professional and personal sacrifices to faithfully serve the United 
States and its people to advance the ideals of freedom, democracy, and 
human dignity around the globe.
  They are heroes and their contributions and sacrifices in service to 
America and the cause of freedom will never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution in its condemnation 
of the terrorists who planned and conducted the attack on the United 
States consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and those who vandalized the 
United States embassies in Cairo, Egypt, and Sana'a, Yemen. The 
resolution also reaffirms that nothing can justify terrorism or attacks 
on innocent civilians and diplomatic personnel.
  Most importantly, the bill calls upon the Governments of Libya, 
Egypt, and Yemen, in full cooperation with the United States 
Government, to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of 
these attacks.
  Finally, the resolution reiterates the United States' commitment to 
promoting its core values, including support for democracy, universal 
human rights, individual and religious freedom, and respect for human 
dignity.
  Mr. Speaker, we are fortunate indeed to live in a country that 
produces exceptional men like Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, 
and Glen Doherty. Their selfless devotion to our nation's ideals and 
values will forever mark them as American heroes. I hope their families 
can take consolation in the fact that they will live on in the memories 
of the grateful nation they gave their lives to serve.
  It is for these reasons that I support H. Res. 786 and ask for a 
moment of silence in memory of Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, 
and Glen Doherty.

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