[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 9, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 538--EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE SENATE TO THE 
    FAMILIES OF JAMES FOLEY AND STEVEN SOTLOFF, AND CONDEMNING THE 
       TERRORIST ACTS OF THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND THE LEVANT

  Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. 
Menendez) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 538

       Whereas James Foley and Steven Sotloff were highly 
     respected journalists whose integrity and dedication were a 
     credit to their profession;
       Whereas James Foley and Steven Sotloff embodied the spirit 
     of our Nation's First Amendment liberties, including the 
     freedom of the press;
       Whereas James Foley and Steven Sotloff made significant 
     contributions to our Nation through their courageous 
     reporting of events in Libya, Syria, and elsewhere;
       Whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is 
     a terrorist organization responsible for committing barbaric 
     acts against United States citizens;
       Whereas ISIL continues to hold hostages in blatant 
     contravention of international law;
       Whereas ISIL has committed despicable acts of violence 
     against Iraqi Christians, forcing many to flee their ancient 
     homeland;
       Whereas ISIL has committed despicable acts of violence 
     against Muslims who do not subscribe to ISIL's depraved, 
     violent, and oppressive ideology;
       Whereas ISIL has threatened to decimate the ancient Yazidi 
     population of Iraq while abducting Yazidi women and children 
     and subjecting them to rape, forced marriage, and slavery;
       Whereas ISIL has targeted many other religious and ethnic 
     minority groups, including Turkmen populations; and
       Whereas ISIL threatens to conduct terrorist attacks 
     internationally: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

       The Senate--
       (1) strongly condemns the terrorist acts of ISIL, including 
     the barbaric and deplorable murders of James Foley and Steven 
     Sotloff;
       (2) mourns the deaths of James Foley and Steven Sotloff and 
     expresses its condolences to their families;
       (3) salutes James Foley and Steven Sotloff for their 
     unwavering and courageous pursuit of journalistic excellence 
     under the most difficult and dangerous of conditions;
       (4) supports efforts to vigorously pursue and bring to 
     justice those responsible for the murders of James Foley and 
     Steven Sotloff;
       (5) demands the immediate and unconditional release of all 
     hostages being held by ISIL; and
       (6) calls on the United States and the international 
     community, working in partnership with the governments and 
     citizens of the Middle East, to address the threat posed by 
     ISIL.

     SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as a 
     declaration of war or authorization to use force.

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