[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 173 (Thursday, October 31, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6339-S6340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 394--HONORING THE MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY AND 
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WHO CARRIED OUT THE MISSION THAT KILLED ABU BAKR 
                  AL-BAGHDADI, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. COTTON (for himself, Mr. Graham, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. Braun) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to.

                              S. Res. 394

       Whereas the world's number one wanted terrorist, Ibrahim 
     Awad Ibrahim al-Badri, also referred to by his nom de guerre 
     Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was killed after years of relentless 
     pursuit by the United States;
       Whereas President Donald J. Trump stated, ``Capturing or 
     killing Baghdadi has been the top national security priority 
     of my Administration,'' and ``The world is now a much safer 
     place.'';
       Whereas, on October 26, 2019, members of the United States 
     Special Operations Command flawlessly executed a daring and 
     complex nighttime raid coordinated with numerous partners to 
     assault the compound in

[[Page S6340]]

     which Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was residing, ultimately leading 
     to his demise;
       Whereas Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said of the death 
     of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ``This is a devastating blow. This 
     is not just their leader, it's their founder. He was an 
     inspirational leader in many ways. He formed ISIS in 2014, he 
     led to establishing the physical caliphate throughout the 
     region, so this is a major blow to them.''; and
       Whereas, although all members of the raid force were able 
     to return to a safe location following the operation, two 
     service members suffered minor injuries and one military 
     working dog was also injured: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) declares that the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 
     represents a measure of justice and relief for the 
     innumerable victims of ISIS;
       (2) commends the men and women and military working dogs of 
     the United States Armed Forces and the United States 
     intelligence community for their flawless plan and execution 
     to capture or kill the ISIS leader;
       (3) commends the President for ordering the successful 
     operation to locate and eliminate Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi;
       (4) recognizes the support from our allies and partners, 
     including the Syrian Kurds, for assisting with executing this 
     daring raid; and
       (5) reaffirms its commitment to disrupting, dismantling, 
     and defeating ISIS and affiliated radical Islamic terrorist 
     organizations around the world that threaten United States 
     national security, eliminating safe havens for terrorists, 
     and bringing terrorists to justice.

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