[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4288]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    RETURN MARTIN AND GRACIA BURNHAM

  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 320th day that Martin and 
Gracia Burnham have been held captive by Muslim terrorists in the 
Philippines. I had hoped to return to this podium after the recess and 
tell you the great news of Martin and Gracia's release.
  It has been customary in the Philippines for hostages to be released 
over the Easter holidays, so I was hopeful that the Burnhams would be 
released. Sadly, their children, Jeff and Mindy and Zack, celebrated 
another holiday without their beloved parents and without any 
communications from their parents.
  Martin and Gracia are still being held by savages with no regard for 
human life. Devout Christians who strongly believe that every life is 
precious, the Burnhams have learned early on that terrorists place no 
worth on human life as they watched their fellow captives become 
beheaded.
  On September 11, Americans were confronted with this reality. Daily 
in Israel and in Palestine people are disgusted by the evidence of 
these realities. President Bush is absolutely right when he declares 
terrorists as evil. This evil force is on the offensive around the 
world. But evil is not stronger than good. Hate is not stronger than 
love. Americans love human life, and so it is our duty to eradicate 
terrorism and promote the respect for life.
  I ask as always for you to join in prayer with me for Martin and 
Gracia Burnham and their loved ones so this nightmare may soon be over.

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