[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 20, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S134-S135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 347--HONORING THE MEMORY AND LEGACY OF ANITA ASHOK 
DATAR AND CONDEMNING THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN BAMAKO, MALI, ON NOVEMBER 
                                20, 2015

  Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Menendez, Ms. 
Warren, Mr. Markey, Mr. Warner, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
Blumenthal, and Mr. Coons) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 347

       Whereas, on November 20, 2015, terrorists perpetrated an 
     horrific attack at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, 
     killing innocent civilians from 7 countries, including Mali, 
     Russia, China, Belguim, Israel, Senegal, and the United 
     States;
       Whereas Anita Ashok Datar was the only citizen of the 
     United States killed in the terrorist attack on November 20, 
     2015, in Bamako, Mali;
       Whereas first responders, including Malian forces, United 
     Nations staff, and French and United States security 
     personnel, including agents of the Bureau of Diplomatic 
     Security, bravely and quickly assisted with--

[[Page S135]]

       (1) the evacuation of hostages; and
       (2) the transportation of hostages to safe locations;
       Whereas Anita Ashok Datar--
       (1) resided in Takoma Park, Maryland;
       (2) was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; and
       (3) was raised in Flanders, New Jersey;
       Whereas Anita Ashok Datar was an international public 
     health and development worker, public health expert, mother, 
     daughter, sister, and friend;
       Whereas Anita Ashok Datar served as a volunteer of the 
     Peace Corps in Senegal from 1997 through 1999;
       Whereas Anita Ashok Datar was a graduate of--
       (1) Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; and
       (2) Columbia University's--
          (A) Mailman School of Public Health; and
          (B) School of International and Public Affairs;
       Whereas Anita Ashok Datar helped found a not-for-profit 
     organization dedicated to connecting low-income women in 
     underserved communities to quality health services;
       Whereas, of all of the accomplishments of Anita Ashok 
     Datar, she was most proud of her son, Rohan; and
       Whereas the people of the United States stand united with 
     the family, friends, and colleagues of Anita Ashok Datar--
       (1) to support the individuals touched by her life or 
     affected by her death; and
       (2) to pray for healing, understanding, and peace: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) condemns the terrorist attack in Bamako, Mali, on 
     November 20, 2015;
       (2) honors the memory of Anita Ashok Datar, the citizen of 
     the United States that was killed in the terrorist attack on 
     November 20, 2015, in Bamako, Mali;
       (3) recognizes and honors the commitment of Anita Ashok 
     Datar to advance international development and public health, 
     including her work to connect low-income women to quality 
     health services;
       (4) extends heartfelt condolences and prayers to--
       (A) the family, friends, and colleagues of Anita Ashok 
     Datar, particularly her son, Rohan; and
       (B) the individuals touched by the life of Anita Ashok 
     Datar or affected by her death, including the dedicated 
     development professionals and volunteers that continue to 
     selflessly engage in critical humanitarian and development 
     efforts; and
       (5) pledges to continue to work to counter violent 
     extremism, including through education and health care, in 
     the United States and abroad.

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