[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 381--HONORING THE MEMORY AND LEGACY OF MICHAEL JAMES 
RIDDERING AND CONDEMNING THE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA 
                        FASO ON JANUARY 15, 2016

  Mr. COONS (for himself and Mr. Kirk) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 381

       Whereas, on January 15, 2016, terrorists perpetrated 
     heinous attacks at the Splendid Hotel, the Cappuccino Cafe, 
     and the Yibi Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, killing 30 
     innocent civilians from 18 countries, including Burkina Faso, 
     Canada, France, Libya, Switzerland, the Netherlands, 
     Portugal, Ukraine, and the United States;
       Whereas Michael James Riddering was the only citizen of the 
     United States killed in the terrorist attacks on January 15, 
     2016;
       Whereas first responders, including Burkinabe forces, and 
     French and United States security personnel, including 
     personnel of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and of the 
     United States Armed Forces, valiantly and quickly assisted 
     with evacuating civilians trapped in the Splendid Hotel, 
     transporting civilians to safe locations, and supporting the 
     military of Burkina Faso in securing the area around the 
     Splendid Hotel;
       Whereas Michael James Riddering resided in Yako, Burkina 
     Faso, was born in Chicago, Illinois, and was raised in Fort 
     Lauderdale, Florida;
       Whereas Michael James Riddering was a graduate of Fort 
     Lauderdale Christian High School;
       Whereas Michael James Riddering was a businessman, a boat 
     builder, and a missionary who led an orphanage, a school, and 
     a women's crisis center in Burkina Faso, and was a father, 
     son, husband, brother, and friend;
       Whereas Michael James Riddering and his wife, Amy, worked 
     as a part of a team that cared for over 400 orphaned children 
     and provided direct assistance to disenfranchised widows in 
     Burkina Faso;
       Whereas Michael James Riddering was in the capital, 
     Ouagadougou, of Burkina Faso on January 15, 2016, to meet a 
     group of missionaries who had arrived from Florida to 
     volunteer for 10 days at the compound that he and his wife, 
     Amy, ran in the city of Yako; and
       Whereas the people of the United States stand united with 
     the family, friends, and colleagues of Michael James 
     Riddering to support the individuals touched by his life or 
     affected by his death and to pray for healing, understanding, 
     and peace: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou, 
     Burkina Faso on January 15, 2016;
       (2) honors the memory of Michael James Riddering, the 
     United States citizen who was killed in the terrorist attack 
     on the Cappuccino Cafe on January 15, 2016, in Ouagadougou, 
     Burkina Faso;
       (3) recognizes and honors the dedication of Michael James 
     Riddering, who moved halfway across the world to work with 
     orphans and widows in order to help them improve their lives 
     and to contribute to their communities;
       (4) extends sincere condolences and prayers to--
       (A) the family, friends, and colleagues of Michael James 
     Riddering, particularly his wife, Amy, and their children, 
     Haley, Delaney, Biba, and Moise; and
       (B) the individuals touched by the life of Michael James 
     Riddering, including the dedicated aid workers, missionaries, 
     and volunteers that continue to selflessly engage in 
     important humanitarian and development efforts; and
       (5) pledges to continue to work to counter violent 
     extremism, including through education and community 
     development, in the United States and abroad.

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