[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  HONORING MEMBERS OF THE CREW OF THE GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYER U.S.S. 
                                ``COLE''

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 18, 2000

  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, we gather today to honor the crew of the 
naval destroyer U.S.S. Cole. A tragedy of great magnitude occurred in 
the Yemen port of Aden on October 12, 2000. While the U.S.S. Cole was 
refueling in Aden, in an apparent terrorist suicide mission, a small 
boat loaded with explosives struck the U.S.S. Cole. The impact of the 
explosion left a 40-by-45 hole in the side of the destroyer, but this 
impact extends far beyond the port of Yemen, and into the hearts of the 
American people.
  Not only did this explosion strike a devastating blow to the ship 
itself, but the ship's crew as well. This deliberate act of terrorism 
has left seven crewmembers dead, ten missing and presumed dead, and 
over three dozen wounded.
  So, we gather here today to not only express our heartfelt sympathies 
to the families, friends, and loved ones of these servicemen and women, 
but also to express our thanks for the ultimate sacrifice that these 
men and women made for their nation. The United States Government has 
yet to identify the culprit of this terrible act, but we do know that 
the U.S.S. Cole and its crew were going about routine duties in the 
area and performed dutifully and selflessly in a situation of great 
duress.
  This unfortunate tragedy has taken seventeen lives and wounded over 
40 U.S. servicemen. We cannot commend the crew of the U.S.S. Cole 
highly enough for the exemplary spirit and patriotism which they 
demonstrated in salvaging their crew and ship. Let the memory of those 
who perished in the U.S.S. Cole attack, motivate us to carry on with 
the same spirit with which they served to preserve the future peace and 
security, of our nation.

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