[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 24601]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 91--EXPRESSING DEEP GRATITUDE TO THE 
  GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR THEIR SYMPATHY AND 
        SUPPORT SINCE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. HELMS (for himself, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Hagel) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                            S. Con. Res. 91

       Whereas the United States and the Republic of the 
     Philippines have shared a special relationship of mutual 
     benefit for more than 100 years;
       Whereas, since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on 
     the United States, the Philippines has been among the world's 
     most steadfast friends of the United States during a time of 
     grief and turmoil, offering heartfelt sympathy and support;
       Whereas, after the United States launched Operation 
     Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, 
     Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo immediately 
     announced her government's unwavering support for the 
     operation, calling it ``the start of a just offensive'';
       Whereas, during the United States operations in 
     Afghanistan, the government of the Philippines has made all 
     of its military installations available to the Armed Forces 
     of the United States for transit, refueling, resupply, and 
     staging operations;
       Whereas this assistance provided by the Philippines has 
     proved highly valuable in the prosecution of Operation 
     Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan;
       Whereas the Philippines also faces terrorist threats from 
     the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/
     National Democratic Front and the radical Islamic Abu Sayaff 
     group, as well as armed secessionist campaigns by the Moro 
     Islamic Liberation Front, and elements of the Moro National 
     Liberation Front;
       Whereas the Abu Sayaff group has historical ties to Osama 
     bin Laden and the al-Qaeda network, and has engaged in 
     hundreds of acts of terrorism in the Philippines, including 
     bombings, arson, and kidnappings;
       Whereas, in May 2001, Abu Sayaff kidnapped American 
     citizens Martin Burnham, Gracia Burnham and Guillermo Sobero, 
     along with several Filipinos;
       Whereas Abu Sayaff has killed Guillermo Sobero and still 
     detains Martin Burnham and Gracia Burnham; and
       Whereas, the United States and the Philippines are 
     committed to each other's security in the Mutual Defense 
     Treaty, signed at Washington August 30, 1951 (3 UST 3947): 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) expresses its deepest gratitude to the government and 
     the people of the Philippines for their sympathy and support 
     since September 11, 2001;
       (2) expresses its sympathy to the current and recent 
     Filipino victims of terrorism and their families;
       (3) affirms the commitments of the United States to the 
     Philippines as expressed in the Mutual Defense Treaty, signed 
     at Washington August 30, 1951 (3 UST 3947);
       (4) supports the government of the Philippines in its 
     efforts to prevent and suppress terrorism; and
       (5) acknowledges the economic and military needs of the 
     Philippines and pledges to continue to assist in addressing 
     those needs.

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