[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 169 (Tuesday, November 17, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H8272-H8277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONDEMNING TERRORIST ATTACKS IN PARIS, FRANCE, ON NOVEMBER 13, 2015

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 524) condemning in the strongest terms the 
terrorist attacks in Paris, France, on November 13, 2015, that resulted 
in the loss of at least 129 lives, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 524

       Whereas on Friday, November 13, 2015, three groups of 
     Islamist terrorists launched coordinated attacks against six 
     sites across

[[Page H8273]]

     Paris, France, resulting in the loss of at least 129 innocent 
     lives and the severe wounding of many hundreds;
       Whereas the attacks on the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade 
     de France, Le Petit Cambodge restaurant, Le Belle Equipe bar, 
     and on the Avenue de la Republique in the 10th district, 
     represent the largest terrorist attack in Europe since the 
     Madrid, Spain, train bombings of 2004;
       Whereas American student Nohemi Gonzalez, 23, of El Monte, 
     California, is among the innocent lives lost in these 
     terrorist attacks, with several Americans injured;
       Whereas French first responders and law enforcement reacted 
     swiftly and heroically, in one instance blocking entrance of 
     a suicide bomber to the Stade de France, doubtlessly saving 
     dozens of lives;
       Whereas seven terrorists were killed, most in suicide 
     bombings and one in a shoot-out with police, and French 
     intelligence and law enforcement are still pursuing those 
     possibly connected to the attacks;
       Whereas French President Francois Hollande vowed that ``we 
     will fight, and we will be ruthless'';
       Whereas NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that 
     the Alliance would stand with France and remain ``strong and 
     united'' against terrorism;
       Whereas President Barack Obama stated, ``Once again we've 
     seen an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians. 
     This attack is not just on Paris . . . this is an attack on 
     all of humanity and the universal values that we share. We 
     stand prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance that 
     the Government and the people of France need to respond.'';
       Whereas the so-called ``Islamic State of Iraq and Syria'' 
     (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack;
       Whereas the precise coordination of these attacks at 
     multiple sites across Paris, along with the recent downing of 
     a Russian airline in Egypt and the double suicide bombing in 
     a shopping district in Beirut--brutal attacks also claimed by 
     ISIS--indicates the planning, operational, and logistical 
     capabilities of ISIS appear to have advanced significantly, 
     and their focus now includes large scale external attacks;
       Whereas the continued and enhanced coordination of law 
     enforcement and intelligence efforts amongst European 
     countries is critical to inhibiting the movement and support 
     for ISIS-affiliated terrorist cells;
       Whereas continued and enhanced intelligence cooperation, 
     law enforcement engagement, and information sharing on 
     emerging threats and identified Islamist extremists greatly 
     improves security for the people of the United States, 
     Europe, and our allies around the world;
       Whereas the loss of innocent lives in Paris strengthens our 
     resolve to defeat ISIS and its terrorist affiliates which 
     pose a growing threat to international peace and stability;
       Whereas France is an indispensable ally in our joint 
     coalition efforts to defeat ISIS;
       Whereas France has long been an ally and friend to the 
     United States since the birth of our Nation, throughout the 
     major conflicts of the 20th century, and has provided 
     significant assistance to key United States strategic 
     priorities such as combating terrorism in northern Africa; 
     and
       Whereas we stand in solidarity with our French allies in 
     their time of national mourning, ready to provide assistance 
     in bringing to justice all those involved with the planning 
     and execution of these attacks, as well as identifying and 
     thwarting any planning to undertake similar assaults in the 
     future: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks 
     in Paris, France, on November 13, 2015, that resulted in the 
     loss of at least 129 lives;
       (2) expresses its condolences to the families and friends 
     of those individuals who were killed in the attacks and 
     expresses its sympathies to those individuals who have been 
     injured;
       (3) supports the Government of France in its efforts to 
     bring to justice all those involved with the planning and 
     execution of these terrorist attacks;
       (4) remains concerned regarding the flow of foreign 
     fighters to and from the Middle East and West and North 
     Africa and the threat posed by these individuals upon their 
     return to their local communities; and
       (5) expresses its readiness to assist the Government and 
     people of France to respond to the growing terrorist threat 
     posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and its 
     terrorist affiliates.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 524, condemning the 
series of terrorist attacks in France carried out by Islamist 
extremists last week.
  It was just after 9 p.m. on Friday, November 13, when a night of 
terror fell over Paris, France. That is when ISIS launched three waves 
of terrorist attacks on the French capital, killing at least 129 people 
and wounding more than 350 others. At least one American, Nohemi 
Gonzalez of El Monte, California, was killed in the attacks, while 
several more were injured.
  The first wave involved three suicide bombers at the Stade de France, 
where thousands, including the French President, were watching a soccer 
game between France and Germany.
  The second wave involved shooting at several restaurants, bars, and 
cafes in an area known for its nightlife in Paris. A suicide bomber 
blew himself up on a nearby street.
  And the third wave involved a mass shooting at the Bataclan music 
hall, where an American rock band was playing music. The attackers took 
theater attendees hostage and started to systematically shoot members 
of the audience. They detonated suicide vests as the police launched an 
assault on the theater. This is where most of the killing that night 
took place.
  In claiming responsibility for the attacks, ISIS called them ``the 
first storm.'' The Paris attacks came a day after ISIS carried out a 
double suicide bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, and 2 weeks after ISIS 
claimed responsibility for downing a Russian passenger jet in Egypt's 
Sinai Peninsula.
  Indeed, U.S. officials, including the CIA Director, have warned that 
these three attacks demonstrate a commitment by ISIS to conduct attacks 
outside of Syria and Iraq, reaching further and further from their home 
base. And yesterday, ISIS released a video threatening attacks here on 
Washington, D.C., which U.S. counterterrorism officials are taking 
seriously.
  Mr. Speaker, there are no words we can say today that will comfort 
the families and friends of the 129 people murdered in these terrorist 
attacks. The victims included Parisians from every walk of life. And 
there are no words strong enough to condemn these terrorists and their 
radical ideology. ISIS is waging war on anyone who disagrees with their 
violent world view. And, frankly, they view everyone else as apostates 
to be killed.
  Alarmingly, their fighting force continues to grow, thanks in part to 
a steady stream of foreign recruits. More than 30,000 fighters have 
made it to Syria and Iraq from more than 100 countries. Of those, it is 
estimated that more than 4,500 hold Western passports, with more than 
250 Americans among them. This ``terrorist diaspora'' is a plane-ride 
from Europe--and even from the United States.
  This resolution puts the House on record as condemning in the 
strongest terms possible the Paris attacks and extends the sympathy of 
every American to those affected by this tragedy. It reaffirms our 
support for France, America's sister republic and oldest ally.
  This is a time to not just express sorrow for those killed but also a 
time to show resolve in this fight.
  Our intelligence-sharing with allies, already strong, will need to 
get sharper; border checks will need to be improved; online recruitment 
of terrorists need to be checked; and coalition efforts to destroy ISIS 
will need to be stepped up.
  I urge all Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure. First of all, I would 
like to associate myself with the remarks of Chairman Royce. I think 
that all of us share the horror of what happened in Paris just a few 
short days ago.
  Like so many around the world, we are heartbroken. We are outraged. 
We are stunned. The perpetrators of these brutal and brazen attacks in 
Paris are our enemies, just as they are the enemies of France. We must 
remain vigilant in the face of this challenge.
  Terrorists, Mr. Speaker, want to make their enemies live their lives 
in fear and retreat from the freedom which underpins our society. But I

[[Page H8274]]

think the fanatics responsible for this attack underestimate the French 
people.
  Across the centuries, Paris and France have seen far worse: a bloody 
revolution, the darkest days of two World Wars, a Nazi occupation that 
marched columns of German troops beneath the Arc de Triomphe and down 
the Champs-Elysees. And all the while, the Republic emerged even 
stronger and more committed to the values of liberty, equality, and 
fraternity--values that we share and that bind the U.S. and France 
together.
  The people of France will endure and the City of Light will shine 
even brighter. Last week's attacks were an atrocity, but they won't 
break the spirit of the French people. And as France grieves and moves 
forward, the United States will be standing shoulder to shoulder 
alongside our oldest ally in friendship and solidarity.
  But, let's be clear: friendship and solidarity aren't all that is 
needed in the wake of these attacks. What is needed is clarity, 
resolve, and action.
  Clearly, ISIS is an enemy that must be defeated. So we need to ramp 
up our information sharing and intelligence efforts with our allies and 
partners to figure out how ISIS orchestrated this plot and to prevent 
future attacks.

                              {time}  1545

  We need to keep pushing for a resolution to Syria's civil war, which 
has created the conditions for ISIS to flourish. We need to increase 
our support for those on the ground in Syria and Iraq that are already 
fighting ISIS so that they can keep building on their recent successes. 
We need to stem the flow of foreign fighters traveling to the Middle 
East to join the ranks of ISIS and figure out how to counter the 
radicalization of vulnerable populations. And we need bring to justice 
those responsible for the Paris attacks to send a clear, strong message 
that murder and terrorism will never go unanswered.
  These terrorists, they are not religious people. They are fascists. 
They think they can use terror to further their political ends. They 
won't succeed.
  This resolution conveys our deepest condolences to the French people. 
Just as importantly, it shows that the United States stands ready to 
assist France in its time of need and to respond to the growing threat 
of ISIS.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this measure.
  Long live France. Long live liberty. Vive la France. Vive la liberte.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Rohrabacher), chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the 
chairman, Chairman Royce, and Ranking Member Engel for the great 
leadership they are providing at this moment in our history when we 
need that type of leadership the most.
  What we are witnessing is an attack on Western civilization. Radical 
Islamic terrorists are seeking to terrorize the West into a retreat.
  We fought and defeated an evil ideology that would have implanted an 
atheist dictatorship on the world not that long ago. We defeated this 
evil force, Communism, just as we defeated the Nazism and Japanese 
militarism before that.
  Today, the West again is confronted with an evil force that would 
threaten the world. Again, America must stand tall, and we must provide 
the leadership to save mankind from this evil threat. We will defeat 
radical Islamic terrorism. We are Americans. We will lead the way.
  We say to the people of France at this moment of suffering: 
Lafayette, we are here.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Schiff), who is the ranking member of the House 
Intelligence Committee.
  Mr. SCHIFF. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the House's France Caucus, I rise to 
speak today with a heavy heart. The barbaric attacks by ISIL-affiliated 
extremists in Paris on Friday evening were a savage attempt to shake 
the foundations of the civilized world.
  The victims, their families, and their loved ones are in our thoughts 
and our hearts, and we send them our deepest condolences in this 
enormously difficult time.
  The indiscriminate brutality of last Friday's rampage has shocked the 
conscience of people around the world. But let us be clear, the forces 
of ISIL cannot extinguish the City of Light, and we will not reap the 
panic and fear that they are attempting to sow.
  The United States stands with France today, as we have done for more 
than two centuries, as a partner, a friend, and an ally. We will 
confront this evil together and, in the names of all of those who have 
suffered so mercilessly at the hands of ISIL, we will defeat it. 
Violence, intolerance, and repression are no match for liberty, 
equality, and fraternity--liberte, egalite, and fraternite.
  I stand today in solidarity with the people of France and the people 
of all nations who would choose freedom over tyranny.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Latta).
  Mr. LATTA. I thank the chairman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, as co-chairman of the Congressional French Caucus, I too 
extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the victims of the 
tragic terrorist attack in Paris, to their families, Parisians, and the 
entire nation of France as we mourn the loss of innocent life.
  We are unified in our dedication to the protection and preservation 
of liberty and committed to ensuring those who have perpetrated these 
attacks are brought to justice.
  ISIS poses a clear and present danger to the United States and to our 
allies across the world. They are a threat to all those who promote 
freedom. Our strength is in our solidarity. The United States and our 
allies, including those in NATO, must stand together with great resolve 
to defeat this threat and ensure the security of freedom-loving people 
across the world.
  I urge passage of the resolution.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Connolly), a very well-respected member of the Foreign 
Affairs Committee.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. I thank my friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the chairman and ranking member of the 
House Foreign Affairs Committee to condemn the November 13 attacks in 
Paris.
  This is a time of mourning for many families who have lost their 
loved ones. Let's pause for a moment to reflect on the lives that were 
cut short and honor their memory with a solemn promise to bring to 
justice those responsible for this senseless violence.
  The violent extremists who carried out those attacks have wounded a 
great nation and an ally of the United States.
  From the American Revolution to the liberation of Paris, our two 
countries have established a special bond forged in the darkest hours 
of our shared history. The full measure of our creation is, in part, 
owed to the people of France, and we must come to their aid in this 
difficult time.
  In doing so, we must act not out of fear, but out of confidence: 
confident that we have the means to maintain the safety and security of 
free societies in which we live, and confident that those societies are 
worth preserving. It is in this manner that a liberated Paris will 
endure.
  I support this legislation.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Harper).
  Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, our prayers go out to the families whose 
loved ones were murdered or wounded in the pointless acts of violence 
carried out in Paris on November 13.
  These were attacks on innocent people by Islamic terrorists, 
recruited, trained, equipped, and directed by a deranged group of 
people known as ISIS. These are our enemies. They may be difficult to 
know, but not impossible to defeat, and we will defeat them.
  I commend the French President for calling this what it is: an act of 
war. This is, indeed, a war declared on Western civilization--in fact, 
all of civilization--by Islamic terrorists who are so consumed with 
pure evil that they believe that the slaughter of innocence is the path 
to paradise.

[[Page H8275]]

  We will never give up in this war. France is the oldest ally of the 
United States. In fact, a portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette, whose 
assistance was integral to the birth of our Nation, hangs in this very 
Chamber. If France is at war, the United States must be at war as well.

  In the strongest terms, I condemn Islamic terrorism around the world, 
and I pledge solidarity and commitment to our French brothers and 
sisters.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York and 
the gentleman from California.
  I think many of us will come to the floor and emphasize that we stand 
with both Mr. Royce and Mr. Engel for this very strong statement of 
commitment by the people of the United States to stand with the people 
of France.
  My heart cried and my soul was disturbed as the video began to unfold 
and the most heinous acts of attacking innocent persons, persons who 
had gone to a stadium to be with friends and relatives; maybe fathers 
with young sons; maybe families with two or three or four children, 
maybe brothers and sisters, as was noted by one of the soccer players 
whose sister was lost, who had come to see him play; maybe as the 
beautiful young woman from California experiencing her dreams, a 
beautiful designer--I pay tribute to her courage and inspiration--who 
just was enjoying the ambience and culture of France in the beautiful 
outdoor cafes that many travel to France just to experience. She lost 
her life, a beautiful flower, someone that America can be proud of, 
someone who was going to be a young lady who would obtain her dreams.
  They didn't care about that. All they cared about was the vile 
violence of killing.
  So I am very much in solidarity, as we move forward, to not allow and 
tolerate ISIS-ISIL continuing their violent ways. I want peace, Mr. 
Speaker. All of us want peace. But ISIL must be eliminated, and we must 
do things differently here in this country.
  We have been vigilant. We have changed our ways since 9/11. We do 
``see something, say something.'' But I believe as we proceed, we must 
act not out of fear, but of rational thought.
  We must deal with the radicalization of young people; and the efforts 
of the administration, countering violent terrorism, extremism, has 
been an effective tool of meeting Muslim communities all over America, 
letting them know that if they see something, they can say something.
  We must address the question of vulnerabilities in places like 
airports and large venues, not be shameful about enhancing security, 
but recognizing that our values of democracy and freedom and access are 
very important. I think we can do that. We did it after 9/11 with the 
USA PATRIOT Act, and we have continued to do it.
  It is our heritage to be free and to have a democratic process. It is 
our heritage to our friends who first established these tenets of 
democracy that we followed here in the United States.
  So, to the people of France, we know that you will act, but we ask 
you to be mindful of the wonderful leadership that you have given of 
democracy and freedom and the tenets of liberty. We know that liberty 
and freedom are not free, but it is important to be able to acknowledge 
these horrible and outrageous and heinous acts.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 524, and I call upon 
America to be vigilant, diligent, but not to act in fear.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in sorrow and outrage but in strong support 
of H. Res. 524, a bipartisan resolution that condemns ``in the 
strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Paris, France, on November 13, 
2015, that resulted in the loss of at least 129 lives.''
  The first two decades of the new millennium will forever be known for 
barbaric attacks on innocent civilian populations by terrorists on a 
scale not seen since the end of World War II.
  If the succeeding decades are to redeem the first two, then the 
civilized world must act in concert, with one accord and one resolve, 
to defeat the terrorists who refuse to make peace with the modern world 
and instead make war on people who wish only to remain free and enjoy 
the blessings of liberty.
  Mr. Speaker, 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.
  Right now, our prayers are with the victims and their families at 
this terrible time.
  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 in embrace 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 assure that they alone will be held 
accountable.
  We will never forget what happened on Friday, November 13, 2015, 
which will be forever known in France and throughout the civilized 
world as ``Black Friday.''
  And we will always remember the 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.
  I ask a moment of silence for the victims killed and injured in the 
terrorist attacks last Friday in Paris.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H. Res. 524.
  Like all Americans, I was shocked and saddened by the terrorist 
attacks in Paris, France. As Americans, we must stand united with the 
people of France.
  The stories of innocent civilians being slaughtered on the streets of 
Paris serve as stark reminders that we must do everything in our power 
to prevent this type of attack from occurring in the United States of 
America.
  Investigations have revealed that one of the terrorists entered 
Europe with migrants fleeing the Syrian civil war. In light of these 
reports, it is essential that we pause the process of refugees coming 
into the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, the attacks in Paris show the danger of open border 
policies. The United States must not allow any refugees into our 
country without exhaustive security screenings.
  My congressional district and the Greater St. Louis region have a 
long and admirable track record of welcoming refugees fleeing war and 
turmoil. However, the safety and the security of the American people 
must always be our number one priority.
  We mourn with our brothers and sisters of France. I am Paris. Je suis 
Paris.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Messer).
  Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my prayers and 
deepest sympathies to the people of Paris.
  As Americans, we share in the shock, the horror, and the tremendous 
sense of loss you now feel following the ruthless, unprovoked terrorist 
attack against your great country. We stand with you against ISIS in 
defense of our shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality under 
the law.
  Mr. Speaker, the world needs America to lead with clarity and resolve 
in the fight against terror. Contrary to the President's assertion that 
ISIS is

[[Page H8276]]

contained, the world now knows they are not. Hope is not a strategy in 
defeating terror.
  ISIS has openly declared war on America, France, and our very way of 
life. We must respond. This is a war, and America needs to lead, 
defeating ISIS before it is too late.

                              {time}  1600

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Yoho), a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  Mr. YOHO. I thank the chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, first, I want to express my, my family's, and our 
country's thoughts, sympathies, and prayers with the people of France 
in their loss and in their pain. I am here to stand in solidarity with 
the French people, France, and all the people and families from around 
the world who lost loved ones in this tragic and cowardly act.
  This is not just an attack on France and innocent people, but people 
in the West and all societies that love peace, liberty, freedom, and 
value human life, people who believe that their rights come from a 
Creator and that we are free to determine the life we choose to live in 
a civil society, not forced to choose a life from the Dark Ages at the 
barrel of a gun or live in the threat of terrorism.
  I applaud French President Hollande in his rapid response and 
wholeheartedly agree and support his words that this will be a 
merciless response. May the terrorists and ISIL's presence on Earth be 
short. Long live France.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for 
the purpose of closing.
  Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, as we have heard from our colleagues on 
both sides of the aisle, the United States grieves with France after 
these horrible attacks. The United States stands ready to assist France 
in its time of need. But we must look toward the root causes of the 
atrocity and direct our resolve toward defeating the growing threat of 
ISIS.
  This includes intelligence and information collaboration with our 
allies and partners. This includes finding a diplomatic solution to the 
Syrian civil war. This includes addressing the refugee crisis and the 
separate grievances and risks that this humanitarian crisis breeds. 
This includes stemming ISIS's recruitment and radicalization efforts of 
disillusioned Westerners to join their ranks.
  We must address the complex and multifaceted layers that contribute 
to the Paris attacks all while bringing those responsible to justice. 
We must send a clear and very loud message that international terrorism 
will not go unanswered.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Hoyer), our Democratic whip.
  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and the ranking 
member for bringing this resolution to the floor. It is sad that we 
bring this resolution to the floor, and it is sad that too often we see 
the results of terrorism around the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support--as I think all Members will--
of this resolution expressing Congress' solidarity with the people of 
Paris and all of France after Friday's terror attacks.
  Americans know that Paris is the ``City of Light.''
  On Friday evening, 129 very bright and vibrant lights were suddenly 
extinguished, leaving a dark void in the heart of that city and in the 
hearts of millions across France, America, and the world. Our flag on 
this Capitol stands at half-staff in memory of those 129 souls.
  As we mourn them, pray for their families, and offer our aid to the 
wounded, we stand with a firm resolve to deny the perpetrators a chance 
to instill in us that which they seek: fear.
  These attacks were carried out by individuals who follow a hopeless 
ideology, who look with awe to a twisted image of the past because they 
are blind to a better future the rest of us can envision. Without a 
belief in tomorrow, there is only fear and the acts of cowardice it 
inspires.
  But the French Republic and the American Republic were neither born 
in fear nor do we live in fear. We were born in hope and in courage. We 
were born looking forward. Both our nations were founded upon the same 
ideals of liberty, democracy, and individual rights espoused by 
Rousseau and Jefferson, Montesquieu and Paine.
  The Marquis de Lafayette is the only substantial painting--other than 
the Father of our Nation, George Washington--to be pictured in this 
hall of democracy, in this hall of free people. It was the French with 
the liaison of Marquis de Lafayette as France stood with us for 
freedom, for equality, and, yes, for fraternity, brotherhood between us 
and them.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, across the river from the Eiffel Tower, in 
the middle of a major traffic circle in Paris, one can see a majestic 
statue of his brother-in-arms, George Washington, raising his sword 
high in a triumphant salute.
  Lafayette and his French officers suffered hunger and cold at Valley 
Forge to help secure for the American people our freedom. Generations 
later American Rangers scaled the craggy cliffs of Pointe-du-Hoc to 
help the people of France regain theirs.
  Our history binds us together. So does our future. That is because we 
believe in tomorrow. Ever hopeful, we believe that the unknown which 
lies ahead can be shaped by our hands into a better world than the one 
we know today. That is what sets us apart from our enemies. That is why 
those who perpetrated Friday's attacks will never, never, never win.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has again expired.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 2 
minutes.
  Mr. HOYER. It is why, no matter what historians in the future call 
ISIS or ISIL or Daesh, they will surely be using only the past tense. 
It is why the people of France and America and all who cherish the 
freedom to think, to speak, to worship, and to strive for a better 
tomorrow must stand together, as we have before, and shine the bright 
light of our values and our principles into the darkness we confront.
  We are all French today--nous sommes francais.
  It will not be quick. It will not be easy. It will test our resolve. 
It will test our will. But with Lafayette watching over us in this 
House, with George Washington standing guard over the City of Paris, 
and with Lady Liberty holding her torch high, surely France and America 
and all those who love liberty and justice throughout the world will 
continue to cast a light of hope, strength, and freedom upon our world.
  May God bless our French brothers and sisters. We send them our 
sympathy, and we pledge them our resolve.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, let me just say in closing we have heard 
impassioned speeches from all our colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle, and this is certainly something with which we agree, certainly 
something that Congress needs to send a very, very strong message, that 
terrorism will never triumph, that we have the resolve here in America 
to join with our friends around the world to stop the scourge of 
terrorism, and that we stand with the people of France in these very, 
very troubling times.

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to the people of Paris. I want to 
thank my colleague, Mr. Engel, who worked to make sure that we brought 
this resolution to the floor today working together so that we in this 
Congress speak with one voice--speak with one voice--about the attack 
on France, the foundation, the heart of Europe, the heart of the 
Enlightenment, and the heart of the concept of freedom, liberty, and 
equality under the law which animated so much of the thinking of 
civilization itself.
  Indeed, it is an attack on that civilization. It is an attack on 
those freedoms, the freedom of religion, the freedom of speech, and the 
freedom of assembly and democracy that are so closely held by us here 
in the United

[[Page H8277]]

States and by our original ally, France, in our own effort to achieve 
the dream of that freedom. It is that freedom that is under assault.
  The unfortunate reality, Mr. Speaker, is that these attacks in Paris 
are indicative of a resurgent terrorism that is continuing to build.
  I mentioned that there were some 30,000 fighters. Those fighters, my 
friends, came from all over the world. They came from across the globe 
on a virtual caliphate called the Internet in order to join Islamic 
State and in order to join what they call their caliphate. The intent 
of their caliphate is to put an end to the freedom that is enjoyed by 
those that they consider apostates, the freedom enjoyed by civilization 
itself.
  The great sorrow that we express here today on this floor is over the 
fact that, of those young people murdered and maimed in this attack, 
the vast majority of them were under 30 years of age. They had their 
whole lives ahead of them when they were targeted, civilians targeted 
for this kind of mayhem.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolve we show with our brothers and sisters in 
France is a resolve that freedom will be the rallying cry. Civilization 
will be the test. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom 
of assembly under democracy are the rights of civilized people. Those 
who bring barbarism and attack the institutions and attack civilians 
are the threat to that civilization.
  We reaffirm our support for France, and we reaffirm our support for 
the French Government and the words and the actions that they have 
taken in the wake of this attack.
  Yes, here in this Chamber we have Lafayette's portrait. At the end of 
that War for Independence--and this is why his portrait is here--he 
said to us, ``Humanity has now won its battle. Liberty has a country.'' 
And after we achieved our freedom, France went on to achieve their 
freedom.
  But now liberty is under assault. That is why today we bring this 
resolution to the floor of this House, to say that America must 
continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the French in their fight 
against tyranny, in their fight against this terror, and in the hope 
that this will give an example to the rest of the world in standing up 
to ISIS and to make certain that our basic liberties are protected 
around this world.
  I am going to quote David Petraeus, who recently gave us these 
remarks. He said that Syria is a geopolitical Chernobyl. He said, 
``Like a nuclear disaster, the fallout from the meltdown of Syria 
threatens to be with us for decades, and the longer it is permitted to 
continue, the more severe the damage will be.''
  We have had this relationship tested many times. France has had its 
relationship with us tested many times. Tonight we stand together with 
France in our commitment to see this through and to make certain that 
ISIS is not merely contained, but to make certain that ISIS is 
ultimately destroyed.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, we come together to honor the victims of the 
horrific terrorist attacks in Paris and to condemn these barbaric acts.
  These attacks claimed the lives of 129 innocent people and wounded 
more than 350 others. Our hearts ache for the victims and their 
families.
  Today, our resolve to punish the perpetrators and destroy the Islamic 
State and other terrorists is only stronger.
  We stand in solidarity with the French people. Together we will 
defeat terrorism around the world and here in the U.S.
  The Islamic State is one of the world's most violent and dangerous 
terrorist groups. To keep our country safe, we must be one step ahead 
of them, cutting off their funding and stopping their efforts.
  As a member of the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing, I 
offered an amendment, accepted as part of the National Defense 
Authorization Act, to direct the Secretary of Defense, in coordination 
with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, to shut 
down ISIL's oil revenues and report on resources needed for these 
efforts. I also included language in the Intelligence Authorization Act 
directing the Intelligence Community to dedicate the necessary 
resources to defeat the Islamic State's revenue mechanisms.
  The attacks in Paris underscore the urgency with which we must pursue 
the defeat of ISIL. These murders foment violence, destabilize the 
Middle East, and present a clear threat to the United States and our 
allies.
  I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides to destroy 
ISIL and strengthen the safety and security of Arizona families.
  We stand with the people of France. We stand with all decent peoples 
around the world who respect and cherish life.

                              {time}  1615

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 524, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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