[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 168 (Monday, November 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE VICTIMS OF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN PARIS 
                AND SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF FRANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2015

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in sorrow over the loss of 
so many innocent lives cut short by the outrageous and heinous acts of 
terrorism that shocked and rocked the people of Paris last Friday and 
earned the lasting enmity of peaceful and freedom loving people around 
the world.
  Right now, our prayers are with the victims and their families at 
this terrible time.
  And we stand in unyielding solidarity with the people of France, 
which like the United States, is one of the most welcoming nations in 
the world.
  Mr. Speaker, for centuries Paris has been known to the world as the 
City of Light.
  The title is richly deserved because Paris has been a world leader in 
the march of human progress in the arts, culture, science, democratic 
theory and governance, and embraces the challenges and opportunities of 
the modern world.
  Those who think that they can terrorize the people of France or the 
values that they cherish underestimate a nation that has faced and 
prevailed against far more sinister and lethal adversaries.
  And they will again, but they will not confront these adversaries 
alone.
  They will be joined by the United States and the other countries of 
the civilized world.
  The French are justly proud of their national motto, ``Liberte, 
egalite, fraternite,'' (liberty, equality, fraternity) and no act of 
terrorism by cowardly perpetrators will succeed in leading them to 
renounce their heritage of freedom and justice.
  It is a heritage that we here in the United States share.
  And that is why the civilized world must and will rededicate itself 
to combating and defeating radical jihadism.
  And as has been done many times throughout the long and special 
relationship between the United States and France, we will face and 
overcome threats to our way of life together.
  We will not bow and will never break; we will not falter or fail.
  We will respond. We will endure. We will overcome.
  The terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday were horrific acts on 
innocent civilians perpetrated by depraved individuals who misuse the 
peaceful religion of Islam for their own misguided purposes.
  Their horrible and heinous acts are their responsibility, and theirs 
alone, and for which they can be assured that they alone will be held 
accountable.
  But that will come another day; today I ask a moment of silence for 
the victims killed and injured in the terrorist attacks last Friday in 
Paris.

                          ____________________